AP Sports Preview: Fighters Host Buffaloes in Key Pacific League Matchup

SAPPORO, Japan (Interstat) — The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, sitting atop the Pacific League standings at 42-33-1, host the Orix Buffaloes (38-33-1) on Tuesday evening at Sapporo Dome in a crucial midseason series opener.

The Fighters enter with a slight edge in a season series that has been tightly contested. Nippon-Ham has won five of the last seven meetings, including a pair of 2-0 shutouts at Orix on May 9-10. However, the Buffaloes took the most recent matchup, a 4-3 home victory on May 8.

Tuesday’s pitching matchup features two of the league’s most consistent arms. Right-hander Allen Kuri is expected to start for Orix. Kuri is coming off a strong outing, earning the win Sunday against Tohoku Rakuten, tossing seven innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts. Over his last five starts, Kuri has a 3-2 record, including wins against Hanshin and Yakult, though he was tagged for five earned runs in a loss to Seibu on June 21.

For the Fighters, right-hander Ren Fukushima is slated to take the mound. Fukushima has been dominant in his recent outings, winning his last three decisions. He threw six innings of one-run ball Sunday at Seibu, scattering four hits and striking out six. In his prior start June 13 against Chunichi, he worked seven innings, allowing one earned run with eight strikeouts. Fukushima has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his last three starts.

Both teams are coming off victories Sunday. Orix beat the Golden Eagles 5-2 behind Kuri’s strong start and a four-RBI game from left fielder Ryoma Nishikawa, who homered. The Buffaloes have won three of their last five.

Nippon-Ham downed the Seibu Lions 5-1 on Sunday, with Fukushima leading the way. Second baseman Taiki Narama drove in two runs with a home run.

The game carries significant weight in the Pacific League standings. A Fighters win would extend their lead, while a Buffaloes victory would tighten the race heading into the final two games of the series Wednesday and Thursday.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Fighters hold a 58.8% win probability, projecting a 5-3 final score.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time.