CHIBA, Japan (Interstat) — The Pacific League-leading SoftBank Hawks visit Chiba Marine Stadium on Sunday evening to face the Chiba Lotte Marines in the finale of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under a forecast of 72 degrees and rain.

SoftBank (41-29) holds a seven-game lead over the second-place Marines (34-33) in the standings. The two teams split the first two games of this series, with both contests ending in 0-0 ties — a pair of rain-shortened affairs that played only four innings Friday and Saturday.

The Hawks enter on a two-game winning streak after taking the final two games of a three-game set against Orix at home. SoftBank won 8-5 on Wednesday and 5-2 on Thursday.

Outfielder Kensuke Kondoh has been sizzling at the plate. The 31-year-old went 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Thursday’s 5-2 victory over Orix. Over his past 10 games, Kondoh is batting .400 (12-for-30) with five home runs and 13 RBIs, including a seven-RBI performance June 20 at Nippon-Ham.

The Marines dropped their most recent contest, 7-4 at Nippon-Ham on Wednesday. Designated hitter Gregory Polanco provided a bright spot, going 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs. The 34-year-old veteran has been limited to 19 games this season because of injuries but has contributed when healthy.

The teams have split their season series, with SoftBank holding a 5-4 edge in nine meetings. The Hawks took two of three at home in May, winning 6-5 and 8-3 before losing 5-4.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 victory for SoftBank. The ELO system gives the Hawks a 63.3 percent probability to win.

Following Sunday’s game, SoftBank returns home for a three-game series against Seibu beginning Tuesday. Lotte travels to Rakuten for a three-game set starting the same day.