OSAKA, Japan (Interstat) — Orix Buffaloes host the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Wednesday, Aug. 5, in an evening game at Osaka Dome, with the teams meeting for the second time in three days.

Orix enters at 48-48-2, while Rakuten is 36-57-1. Orix has been installed as a 1 1/2-run favorite, and Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Orix win. Interstat’s Elo model gives Orix a 59.5 percent chance to win. The over/under is 7 1/2.

Orix won Monday’s series opener 9-6, powered by Ryoto Kita. He went 3 for 5 with two home runs and five RBIs. In his last four games, Kita is 5 for 14 with two homers and five RBIs. His performance helped Orix snap a three-game losing streak in the season series. The teams have met 10 times this season, with Rakuten winning six and Orix winning four.

Rakuten has lost eight of its last 11 games, with one tie. In Monday’s loss, Hideto Asamura was the standout, going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Over his past four games, Asamura is 5 for 13 with two homers and five RBIs. He also had a four-RBI game July 16 against Orix, helping Rakuten win 12-8 in the middle game of a three-game home sweep. Asamura remains one of the most dangerous bats in the Rakuten order.

Orix has been uneven, going 5-5 in its last 10, but Monday’s outcome showed the damage Kita can do. Allen Kuri allowed two earned runs over six innings with five strikeouts, and Kotaro Kurebayashi homered and drove in two for Orix.

Rakuten will need a better pitching effort after allowing nine runs Monday. Kosei Shoji pitched six innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs with five strikeouts. Daisuke Nakashima added a home run and an RBI for the Golden Eagles, but it was not enough.

Wednesday’s rematch gives Orix a chance to take the series before the teams play again Thursday at Osaka Dome. Rakuten, meanwhile, is trying to stop a slide and will face Nippon Ham after this series, while Orix travels to Lotte. First comes another night at the dome, with Orix looking to build on its recent win and Rakuten seeking an upset against a favored Buffaloes club.