Preview: Giants, Tigers Renew Rivalry in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan (Interstat) — The Central League’s top team hosts its most storied rival Tuesday night as the Hanshin Tigers welcome the Yomiuri Giants to Osaka Dome.

The first-place Tigers (11-4) have won seven of their last 10 and are riding high after a series sweep in Nagoya. They will send ace Haruto Takahashi to the mound. The right-hander is coming off a dominant complete-game shutout Sunday, allowing five hits and striking out 10 against Chunichi. He also blanked these Giants on March 28, throwing a three-hit shutout with six strikeouts in a 2-0 victory.

Yomiuri (7-7), seeking to reach .500, counters with its own Haruto — right-hander Haruto Inoue. He took a hard-luck loss his last time out, yielding two runs over six innings with seven strikeouts against Yakult on April 12. He was sharp in a win over Yokohama on April 5, allowing one run over seven innings.

The Tigers have won two of the three meetings between the clubs this season, including a 12-6 rout on March 29. Hanshin’s offense has been potent, supported by a pitching staff that has posted three shutouts in its last seven games.

Yomiuri looks to rebound after being shut out at home by Yakult on Sunday. The Giants’ lineup must solve Takahashi, who has owned them recently.

According to Interstat, the Tigers are projected as strong favorites with a 64.7% win probability. Their game simulator predicts a 7-4 Hanshin victory.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time. The series continues Wednesday and Thursday in Osaka.