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BayStars Host Giants in Central League Clash

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Interstat) — The Yokohama BayStars will look to even their record Friday night against the visiting Yomiuri Giants, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. at Yokohama Stadium under a forecast of 58 degrees and rain.

Yokohama enters the game at 10-10 across all competitions, while Yomiuri holds a 12-9 mark. The Giants won two of three in the most recent head-to-head series April 3-5, taking the finale 3-2 on Sunday after splitting the first two games.

A key figure for Yomiuri is pitcher Kazuyuki Takemaru, who has been effective in limited action. In his most recent start Wednesday against Chunichi, Takemaru threw five innings, allowing one earned run on six hits with 10 strikeouts in a 5-1 win. He also pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball against Yakult on April 10. However, Takemaru took a loss in his only prior outing against Yokohama this season on April 3, surrendering one earned run over five innings.

For Yokohama, first baseman Keita Sano has been a consistent offensive threat. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in Wednesday’s 7-6 win over Hanshin. Sano has multiple hits in four of his last six games and drove in two runs in each of his previous two contests before Wednesday.

The BayStars have won four of their last five, including back-to-back victories over Hanshin on Tuesday and Wednesday. Yomiuri also enters on a winning note, having defeated Chunichi 5-1 on Wednesday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 victory for Yokohama, with its ELO system giving the BayStars a 54.90 percent probability of winning.

Following Friday’s game, the teams will meet again Saturday and Sunday at Yokohama Stadium before the Giants host Hiroshima on Tuesday.