HIROSHIMA, Japan (Interstat) — The surging Hanshin Tigers will aim for a series sweep of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in a rainy Sunday night matchup at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2026, under a forecast of 62-degree temperatures and rain. The Central League clash features two teams on opposite trajectories early in the season.

The visiting Tigers (6-2) have won five straight, including the first two games of this series by scores of 4-2 and 7-5. Hanshin’s offense has been potent, averaging over five runs per game during the win streak.

A key catalyst has been shortstop Seiya Kinami, who is 11 for 24 (.458) with a home run and six RBIs over his last seven games. He went 3 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs in Saturday’s victory.

The home-standing Carp (3-4) have dropped three of their last four and will look to right-hander Freddy Tarnok to halt the slide. Tarnok took the loss Saturday despite a quality start, allowing two earned runs over five innings. He was brilliant in his previous outing on March 28, throwing seven scoreless innings in a win over Chunichi.

Hanshin’s pitching staff has been equally effective, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in four of the last five games.

Statistical models favor the Tigers’ momentum. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Hanshin victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Tigers a 66.1% probability to win.

Following the series, Hanshin returns home to host the Tokyo Yakult Swallows for three games beginning Tuesday. Hiroshima remains home to welcome the Yomiuri Giants for a three-game set starting the same day.