TOKYO (Interstat) — The slumping Chunichi Dragons will try to salvage a series split against the Central League-leading Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Sunday evening in wet conditions at Meiji Jingu Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time under a forecast of 62-degree temperatures and rain. The Swallows (6-1) have dominated early season play, while the Dragons (2-6) seek to stop a skid that has seen them lose six of their last seven games.

The series is tied 1-1. Yakult’s offense exploded for an 11-6 win on Saturday, one day after Chunichi edged out a 1-0 victory.

A key matchup will feature hot hitters from each side. Chunichi’s Seiya Hosokawa is coming off a powerful performance, going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in Saturday’s loss. He has hits in three straight games.

For Yakult, Shu Masuda also homered and drove in three runs on Saturday. He has shown explosive potential, having also homered in a March 31 win over Hiroshima.

Statistical models heavily favor the home team. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-2 Yakult victory, and its ELO system gives the Swallows a 58.8% probability to win.

Following Sunday’s game, the Dragons travel to face the Yokohama BayStars in a two-game series starting Tuesday. The Swallows embark on a six-game road trip, beginning with a three-game set against the Hanshin Tigers on Tuesday.