OSAKA, Japan (Interstat) — The Hanshin Tigers look to extend their dominance over the Chunichi Dragons on Thursday evening at Osaka Dome, where the Central League’s second-place club hosts the last-place Dragons in the third game of a four-game series.

Hanshin (38-31-2) has won eight of 10 meetings with Chunichi this season, including a 3-2 walk-off victory in 10 innings on Tuesday. The Tigers hold a commanding eight-game lead over the Dragons in the standings and enter Thursday as heavy favorites, with Interstat’s ELO system projecting a 68.8 percent win probability.

Thursday’s marquee pitching matchup features two hurlers who squared off in Tuesday’s contest. Hanshin right-hander Hiroto Saiki will take the mound after a stellar outing in that win, allowing one earned run on five hits over seven innings while striking out nine. Saiki is 0-for-1 at the plate in that game. Over his last three starts, Saiki has posted a 1.42 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 19 innings, though he has not factored in the decision in any of those outings.

Chunichi (26-45-1) counters with left-hander Kyle Muller, who also pitched well Tuesday despite taking the loss. Muller worked six innings, surrendering one earned run on five hits with five strikeouts. He is 0-for-2 at the plate this season. Muller earned a win in his previous start June 23 against Yokohama, allowing one earned run over six innings with four strikeouts, but has struggled on the road, with a 4.66 ERA away from Nagoya.

The Tigers have been powered recently by outfielder Shota Morishita, who launched two home runs and drove in two runs in Tuesday’s win. Hanshin’s bullpen has been sharp as well, with reliever Suguru Iwazaki tossing a scoreless inning.

Chunichi’s offense has managed just two runs in its last two games and has lost three of its last four. The Dragons have been held to three runs or fewer in seven of their past 10 contests.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 final score in favor of Hanshin.