HIROSHIMA, Japan (Interstat) — The Chunichi Dragons and Hiroshima Toyo Carp meet Saturday evening at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium, with both teams looking to build momentum in a Central League series that has been lopsided in the home team’s favor.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under clouds and 55-degree temperatures.

The Dragons (8-20) are mired in an extended slump, having lost nine of their last 11 games, including Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Carp in the series opener. Chunichi’s pitching staff has struggled to contain opposing lineups, and its offense has been inconsistent, scoring two runs or fewer in three of its last five games.

Hiroshima (10-15) enters the game having won four of its last six, with Friday’s victory providing a spark. The Carp took three of four from Yomiuri earlier in the week before dropping a series to Yakult.

Right-hander Yuya Yanagi is scheduled to start for Chunichi. Yanagi has been effective despite tough luck, allowing two earned runs or fewer in four consecutive starts, but has received little run support. In Friday’s loss at Hiroshima, he threw five innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts. Over his last four outings, Yanagi has posted a 2.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 24 innings.

Hiroshima counters with right-hander Shun Okamoto, who earned the win Friday against Chunichi. He threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and one earned run with four strikeouts. Okamoto has been a reliable arm for the Carp, though he has received little support from his offense in several outings. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four appearances.

The Carp have won four of the last six meetings between the teams, including two of three in Hiroshima to open the season in late March. Friday’s 7-3 win extended Hiroshima’s home dominance over Chunichi.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Chunichi victory, while its ELO system gives Hiroshima a 54.3% probability of winning.

Both clubs will have an opportunity to reset during the upcoming week. The Dragons will return home to face Hanshin in a four-game series starting Monday, while Hiroshima travels to Yokohama for a three-game set against the BayStars beginning Monday.

The game marks the second of a three-game weekend series between the Central League rivals.