TOKYO (Interstat) — The Yomiuri Giants visit the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Thursday evening at Meiji Jingu Stadium, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and 76-degree temperatures.

Both teams enter with nearly identical records: Yomiuri at 23-19, Yakult at 23-20. The Giants took the most recent meeting 2-0 on Tuesday, a shutout powered by right-hander Shosei Togo, who threw seven innings of five-hit ball with five strikeouts and no earned runs. Togo also went 0-for-2 at the plate that night.

Togo has been a key factor in Yomiuri’s recent success. In his last three outings, he posted a 2-1 record, including a win over Hiroshima on May 12 (5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 6 K) and a loss to Yakult on May 4 (5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 5 K). His ability to limit damage early will be critical against a Swallows lineup that has been inconsistent but capable of outbursts.

For Yakult, Keiji Takahashi takes the spotlight after taking the loss Tuesday. He allowed two earned runs on six hits over five innings, striking out six. Takahashi will look to bounce back and give his team a chance to even the season series, which Yakult leads 6-4 through 10 meetings.

Yakult’s offense has sputtered recently, scoring two or fewer runs in four of its last five games, including a 5-0 shutout loss to Yomiuri on May 6. The Swallows did manage an 8-5 win at Chunichi on May 15 but followed with a 10-0 loss to Hanshin on May 12.

Yomiuri has been steadier, winning four of its last five, including a three-game sweep of Yokohama from May 15-17. The Giants outscored the BayStars 7-3 in that series and have allowed three or fewer runs in six of their last eight games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Yomiuri victory, while the ELO system gives Yakult a 50.10 percent chance to win, suggesting a razor-thin margin.

After Thursday, Yomiuri returns home to face Hanshin in a three-game set starting Friday. Yakult travels to Yokohama for a two-game series beginning Saturday.