Preview: Hanshin Tigers at Chunichi Dragons

NAGOYA, Japan (Interstat) — The Hanshin Tigers look to build on a recent victory and secure a series win when they visit the Chunichi Dragons for a Saturday evening Central League matchup at Nagoya Dome.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 11, 2026.

The Tigers (5-7) evened the series with a 5-3 win on Friday night. Hanshin’s Shoki Murakami delivered a strong start, allowing one earned run over seven innings. Offensively, center fielder Koji Chikamoto led the charge, going 4 for 5 with an RBI.

Chunichi (4-8) saw a solid effort from starter Yuya Yanagi go to waste in the loss. Yanagi pitched six innings, giving up one earned run on five hits.

The pitching matchup for Saturday features a compelling rematch of Friday’s starters. Hanshin will send right-hander Shoki Murakami (2-1, 2.57 ERA in recent outings) to the mound on short rest. Murakami has been effective, logging at least six innings and allowing three or fewer earned runs in each of his last three starts, including Friday’s win.

He will be opposed by Chunichi’s Yuya Yanagi (1-2, 1.29 ERA in recent outings), who also pitches on short rest following his quality start in Friday’s defeat. Yanagi tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout against the Yakult Swallows on April 3.

Both clubs have struggled for consistency early in the season. Hanshin has won three of its last five, while Chunichi has dropped seven of its last ten games.

According to Interstat, the Tigers enter as strong favorites. Their game simulator projects a 6-3 Hanshin victory, and their ELO rating system gives the Tigers a 67% probability to win.

Following Saturday’s contest, the two teams will conclude their three-game series on Sunday in Nagoya before a brief hiatus in their season series.