TOKYO (Interstat) — The Yomiuri Giants and Tokyo Yakult Swallows meet Thursday evening at Meiji Jingu Stadium, with the visiting Giants seeking to extend their momentum in a pivotal Central League series.

Yomiuri (43-37-2) enters the game following an 8-2 victory over Yakult on Wednesday. The Giants have won three of their last four games and four of their last six. Yakult (41-40-1) has dropped four of its past six and is coming off consecutive losses to its Tokyo rival.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the forecast calling for clouds and 86 degrees.

The Giants lead the season series 5-4. The teams split a two-game set earlier this week, with Yakult winning 5-4 on Tuesday before Yomiuri routed the Swallows on Wednesday.

Players to watch

Yomiuri first baseman Bobby Dalbec has been the most productive hitter in the series. On Wednesday, he went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Over his past 10 games, Dalbec is batting .304 (7-for-23) with four homers and 11 RBIs. He has at least one hit in six of those contests and has displayed considerable power, including a 3-for-5, one-homer, four-RBI performance July 10 at Yokohama.

Yakult right fielder Shu Masuda has been a steady performer despite the team’s struggles. Masuda went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in Wednesday’s loss. Over his past six games, he is batting .348 (8-for-23) with two home runs and five RBIs. He had a 3-for-4 game July 12 at Hanshin and has recorded at least one hit in seven of his last nine contests.

Recent history

Wednesday’s game featured strong pitching from Yomiuri starter Yuhi Nishidate, who worked seven innings, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out five. Yakult relievers Kousuke Sakaguchi and Hiroki Ohnishi each threw a scoreless inning in the loss.

The Giants have been inconsistent on the road, going 4-3 over their past seven away games. Yakult has been slightly better at home, winning four of its past six at Meiji Jingu.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 3-2 Yomiuri victory, with the Giants holding a 52.3% win probability.

Up next

Following Thursday’s game, Yomiuri returns home to face the Chunichi Dragons in a three-game series starting Friday. Yakult travels to Yokohama for a three-game set against the BayStars.