TOKOROZAWA, Japan (Interstat) — The Saitama Seibu Lions and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, separated by just three games in the Pacific League standings, meet again Thursday evening at Seibu Dome in what has become a tense mid-summer rivalry.

The Lions (52-37-1) lead the Fighters (51-42) by 3 ½ games in the loss column, but Nippon-Ham has won three of the last five meetings. Their most recent encounter, a 4-3 Seibu victory in 10 innings Wednesday, set the stage for the rematch. The Lions have won six of the last 10 head-to-head games this season, but the Fighters have proven competitive in close contests, including three one-run losses in the past month at Seibu Dome.

Right-hander Hiromi Itoh (0-0, 3.32 ERA) is scheduled to start for Nippon-Ham. Itoh’s season has been marked by hard luck — he has no decisions in his last five starts despite strong outings, including a 7-inning, one-run performance against Seibu on July 10 and a 6-inning, three-run effort against the Lions on Wednesday. In three starts against Seibu this season, Itoh has a 2.84 ERA across 19 innings with 19 strikeouts.

The Lions counter with right-hander Kaima Taira (3-0, 1.80 ERA), who has been dominant in his recent turns. Taira has posted three consecutive wins, including Wednesday’s victory over Nippon-Ham (5 IP, 3 ER, 6 K). Over his last three starts, Taira has allowed just three earned runs in 16 innings while striking out 17. He has a 3.38 ERA in two starts against the Fighters this season.

Seibu’s offense has been led by first baseman Tyler Nevin, who homered and drove in two runs Wednesday. Takuya Hiruma added two hits and an RBI. The Lions have scored at least four runs in five of their last six games.

The Fighters’ offense has been inconsistent, averaging 2.8 runs over their last five games. They managed just three runs Wednesday despite nine hits.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Seibu victory, while the ELO model gives Nippon-Ham a 52.9 percent chance to win.

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