NAGOYA, Japan (Interstat) — The surging Hanshin Tigers will look to complete a series sweep and extend the Chunichi Dragons’ early-season struggles when the Central League rivals meet Sunday evening at Nagoya Dome.

Hanshin (10-4) has won the first two games of this series, including a 9-3 victory Saturday powered by a two-homer, five-RBI performance from Teruaki Sato. The Tigers have won seven of their last eight games.

Chunichi (3-10) has lost four straight and nine of its last 10, leaving it at the bottom of the league standings.

The Tigers’ third baseman, Sato, is in a formidable groove. Over his last five games, he is 8-for-17 (.471) with three home runs and 10 RBIs. He homered in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader split against Yakult before his explosion against Chunichi.

The Dragons will hope for a spark from veteran import Miguel Sano. The first baseman homered and drove in two runs in Saturday’s loss and is 4-for-9 over his last three games.

On the mound, Hanshin’s Takato Ihara delivered a quality start Saturday (6 IP, 1 ER, 6 K), while reliever Rafael Dolis closed the door. For Chunichi, reliever Ren Kondo and outfielder Asahi Hanada, who also homered Saturday, were rare bright spots.

According to Interstat, the Tigers are projected as strong favorites with a 67.5% win probability. Their game simulator predicts a 6-2 Hanshin victory.

After Sunday’s series finale, the Tigers return home to host the Yomiuri Giants for a three-game series starting Tuesday. The Dragons will remain at Nagoya Dome to begin a two-game set against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp on Tuesday. These teams will meet again for a three-game series in Osaka next weekend.