Preview: Marines, Lions Set for Rubber Match at Seibu Dome

TOKOROZAWA, Japan (Interstat) — The Chiba Lotte Marines and Saitama Seibu Lions will settle their three-game series Sunday evening at Seibu Dome, with both clubs seeking momentum after inconsistent starts to the 2026 Pacific League season.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time on April 12.

The series is tied, with Lotte (5-9) winning 6-3 on Friday before Seibu (5-8-1) answered with a 5-2 victory Saturday. The Lions hold a 3-2 edge in the season series, though the Marines won decisively, 11-0, on March 28.

A player to watch for Lotte is reliever Akira Yagi, who delivered two scoreless innings in Saturday’s loss. For Seibu, all eyes will be on right-hander Natsuki Takeuchi. Takeuchi earned the win Saturday with seven strong innings, allowing one run on four hits. In his last three starts, he has a 2.57 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 19 innings, though he was tagged for four runs in five innings by Lotte on March 28.

Both lineups will look to ignite. In Saturday’s win, Seibu’s Alexander Canario drove in three runs. Lotte’s lone bright spot was a pinch-hit home run from Daito Yamamoto.

Despite Seibu’s slight edge in the standings and a home-field advantage, projections are tight. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 3-2 Marines victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Lions a 53.6% probability to win.

Following Sunday’s finale, both teams embark on extended road trips. The Marines host Hokkaido beginning Tuesday, while the Lions travel to face Orix.