Preview: Golden Eagles at Lions, Saturday, April 4, 2026

TOKOROZAWA, Japan (Interstat) — The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles will look to build on a series-opening victory when they visit the struggling Saitama Seibu Lions on Saturday evening at Seibu Dome.

Rakuten (3-4) defeated Seibu 6-3 on Friday night behind a three-run homer from Fumiya Kurokawa. The Lions (2-5) have lost four of their last five games.

Kurokawa, a key player to watch for the Eagles, is hitting .292 (7-for-24) with a home run and five RBIs over his last seven games. His performance Friday was a bright spot in a lineup seeking consistency.

For the Lions, reliever Yuta Nakamura is a player to monitor. He provided two scoreless innings of relief in Friday’s loss and has allowed just one earned run over his last three innings pitched, striking out four.

Both teams have struggled early in the Pacific League season, making this series an opportunity to gain ground. Rakuten’s pitching, led by Friday’s starter Kosei Shoji’s seven-inning effort, will aim to contain a Seibu offense that has been held to three runs or fewer in four of its seven games.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Rakuten is projected to win 4-2. The system gives the Golden Eagles a 52.2% probability of victory.

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