OSAKA, Japan (Interstat) — The Orix Buffaloes look to bounce back from a series-opening loss when they host the Rakuten Golden Eagles on Wednesday night at Osaka Dome.

Orix (55-58-2) lost the opener 5-1 on Tuesday. Rakuten (44-67-1) snapped a four-game losing streak with that victory and has taken three of the past five meetings. Overall, the Golden Eagles have won six of the past 10 games in the season series.

Rakuten’s Tatsuki Itoh was the winning pitcher Tuesday, allowing one earned run on four hits in five innings with two strikeouts. First baseman Yuma Yasuda supported him by going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, and reliever Ryu Kutani struck out three in a scoreless inning.

Orix’s Allen Kuri is a player to watch after taking the loss Tuesday, giving up four earned runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts. Kuri had beaten Rakuten in his two previous starts this month, allowing one earned run in seven innings in a 9-1 win Aug. 11 and two earned runs in six innings in a 9-6 win Aug. 3. But in his past two starts overall, Kuri has allowed seven earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. Taisuke Yamaoka and Reiji Higashiyama provided scoreless relief for Orix on Tuesday.

The Buffaloes had won six of eight before Tuesday. The Golden Eagles had lost four straight before winning the opener. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 Orix victory, and Interstat’s ELO system gives Orix a 58.30 percent chance to win.

The series continues with Thursday’s game at Osaka Dome.