Preview: Hanshin Tigers at Chunichi Dragons

NAGOYA, Japan (Interstat) — The surging Hanshin Tigers will look to extend their winning streak when they visit the struggling Chunichi Dragons to open a three-game series Friday evening at Nagoya Dome.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time.

The Tigers (8-4) enter having won two straight, including a 2-0 victory over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Thursday. Hanshin’s pitching has been a strength, allowing three or fewer runs in seven of their eight wins.

A key performer has been right-hander Hidetoshi Ibaragi, who tossed six scoreless innings with five strikeouts in Thursday’s win. He is expected to be a central figure again, either as a starter or key reliever.

In contrast, the Dragons (3-8) have found wins scarce, though they are coming off a 6-4, 11-inning road victory over the Yokohama BayStars on Wednesday. Lefty Masaki Nakanishi earned the win in that contest, allowing two runs over five innings with seven strikeouts. He will be a player to watch both on the mound and at the plate.

The teams are on opposite trajectories. Hanshin has won eight of its last 11, while Chunichi has dropped eight of its last ten.

Statistical projections favor the visitors. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 5-3 Tigers victory, and its ELO rating system gives Hanshin a 66.5% probability to win. Despite this, sportsbooks have installed Chunichi as a pregame underdog with a spread of +1.5. The over/under for total runs is set at 5.5.

Following this series, the Tigers will host the Yomiuri Giants for three games beginning Tuesday. The Dragons will remain home for a two-game set against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp starting Tuesday.