Preview: Buffaloes, Fighters Set for Rematch in Sapporo

SAPPORO, Japan (Interstat) — The Orix Buffaloes and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters will meet for the second straight night Saturday at Sapporo Dome, with both teams looking to gain an edge in the early Pacific League standings.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening of April 4, 2026.

The Fighters (3-4) evened their record against Orix (4-3) with a decisive 12-3 victory on Friday. Nippon-Ham starter Hiromi Itoh was dominant in that win, tossing six scoreless innings with five strikeouts. He will look to continue that form against a Buffaloes lineup he recently stifled.

Orix will counter with a hot hitter in second baseman Ryo Ohta, who homered and drove in two runs in Friday’s loss. Ohta is riding a six-game hitting streak, batting .500 (11 for 22) with eight RBIs over that span.

The Buffaloes had won four of five before Friday’s blowout, including a series win over the Seibu Lions. The Fighters have been inconsistent, mixing lopsided wins with narrow losses.

Statistical projections offer a split verdict. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 5-4 Orix victory, while its ELO rating system gives Nippon-Ham a 59% probability to win.

Following Saturday’s contest, the teams will conclude their three-game series on Sunday before each embarks on a road trip next week.