(Interstat) — Chunichi Dragons at Hiroshima Carp

The Chunichi Dragons visit the Hiroshima Carp on Friday evening at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium. First pitch is scheduled under cloudy skies with a temperature of 86 degrees.

Chunichi (38-55-1) enters the game with the Central League’s worst record, while Hiroshima (35-50-2) sits just ahead of the Dragons in the standings. Hiroshima holds a 5-4 edge in the season series.

Right-hander Yumeto Kanemaru is scheduled for Chunichi. He delivered seven innings of four-hit, one-run ball with seven strikeouts in a 5-1 win over Yokohama on July 26. In his previous start against Hiroshima on July 12, he allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 1-5 loss.

Right-hander Shohei Mori is expected for Hiroshima. He earned a win July 26 at Yakult, allowing three runs over six-plus innings while striking out five. On July 11 at Chunichi, he surrendered four runs in four innings in an 8-1 loss.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 Chunichi victory, while Interstat’s ELO system gives Hiroshima a 52 percent probability to win.

The teams continue their three-game series Saturday and Sunday in Hiroshima before Chunichi hosts Yakult and Hiroshima faces Yomiuri next week.