Preview: BayStars at Swallows, Thursday, April 16, 2026

TOKYO (Interstat) — The surging Tokyo Yakult Swallows host the struggling Yokohama BayStars on Thursday evening at Meiji Jingu Stadium, with rain in the forecast and a recent history of close games between the Central League rivals.

The Swallows (11-4) have won three of four meetings against the BayStars (5-9) this season, including a 5-3 victory in six innings on Tuesday. Yakult sits atop the early standings, while Yokohama seeks to reverse a trend that has seen them lose nine of their last 12.

Weather could be a factor, with game-time temperatures expected near 65 degrees Fahrenheit and rain likely.

A key matchup features two pitchers familiar with each other. Yokohama’s Yu Takeda is slated to start just two days after taking the loss against these same Swallows. On April 14, Takeda allowed four earned runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings in a 5-3 defeat. In his last three appearances, he is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA.

Yakult will counter with Yasuhiro Ogawa, who earned the win in that same Tuesday contest. Ogawa went 4 1/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits. He has been effective this season, posting a 2.45 ERA over three outings despite a limited workload.

The Swallows’ offense has been consistently productive, with catcher Yudai Koga going 3 for 3 with two RBIs in the recent win. Yokohama will look for continued production from outfielder Ryuki Watarai, who had two hits and an RBI on Tuesday.

Projections are split. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 5-4 Yakult victory, while its ELO rating system gives Yokohama a narrow 50.6% probability to win.

Following this game, Yakult begins a three-game series at home against the Yomiuri Giants on Friday. Yokohama travels to face the Hiroshima Toyo Carp to start a weekend set.