Preview: Yomiuri Giants at Yokohama BayStars

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Interstat) — The Yomiuri Giants and Yokohama BayStars meet Saturday evening at Yokohama Stadium in the second game of a three-game series, with the Giants looking to rebound from a lopsided loss and the BayStars aiming to build momentum.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. under clear skies. The temperature at game time is forecast to be 81 degrees.

Yomiuri enters with a 40-36-2 record, good for second place in the Central League. Yokohama sits in fifth place at 33-43-3.

The BayStars routed the Giants 11-6 on Friday night in a game shortened to seven innings. Yomiuri first baseman Bobby Dalbec continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs. Over his past five games, Dalbec is batting .368 (7-for-19) with two homers and five RBIs.

Yokohama’s Ryuki Watarai delivered a key pinch-hit home run Friday, finishing 1-for-1 with three RBIs. Watarai has reached base in four of his last five plate appearances entering Saturday.

Friday’s win evened the season series at 6-3-1 in favor of Yomiuri. The Giants have won six of the past nine meetings.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Yomiuri victory. Interstat’s ELO system gives Yokohama a 52.2 percent probability of winning.

Yokohama starter Masaki Iwata, who earned the win in relief Friday with two scoreless innings, is expected to get the ball Saturday. The Giants have not announced a starter.

The Giants are 5-5 in their past 10 games and are coming off a series loss to Hanshin. The BayStars are 5-4-1 in their past 10, including a series win over Chunichi.

Following Saturday’s game, the teams conclude the series Sunday afternoon at Yokohama Stadium.