HAWKS, MARINES OPEN SERIES IN CHIBA

CHIBA, Japan (Interstat) — The Pacific League-leading Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, fresh off their first loss of the season, visit the .500 Chiba Lotte Marines to open a three-game series Friday evening at Chiba Marine Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 Celsius).

The Hawks (5-1) saw their five-game win streak snapped Thursday in a 5-4 loss at Rakuten. Starter Ryosuke Ohtsu delivered a quality start in the defeat, going seven innings and allowing three earned runs on nine hits. Hotaka Yamakawa provided power, going 2-for-4 with a home run.

Lotte (3-3) also enters following a loss, falling 7-1 at Nippon-Ham on Thursday. Third baseman Ryusei Terachi was a bright spot, homering in a 2-for-3 performance. He has hits in four of his last five games.

The series features a contrast in early-season momentum. SoftBank has outscored opponents 38-25, while the Marines have been inconsistent, scoring 19 runs but also being shut out twice.

According to Interstat, the Hawks are heavy favorites, projected with a 68% probability to win and a simulated final score of 8-3.

Following this series, the Hawks host the Saitama Seibu Lions for three games beginning Tuesday. The Marines embark on a six-game road trip starting Tuesday in Osaka against the Orix Buffaloes.