Tokyo Yakult Swallows (25-32-5) at Hanshin Tigers (30-29-3)
Thursday, September 3rd, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
Hanshin Tigers: RHP Koyo Aoyagi (6-3, 3.30 ERA)
Tokyo Yakult Swallows: RHP Ren Kazahari (0-0, 5.63 ERA)
Game Preview
The Tigers are on a remarkable rise in the standings and, even though they were dead last in the Central League a few weeks ago, now they have risen to second place with a 30-29-3 record following three wins in their last five games. The Swallows, on the other hand, have won two of their last three but are in last place of the standings – they sit four games behind the Tigers and 11.5 games away from the first-placed team, the Yomiuri Giants. With that in mind, the Tigers seem to have all the momentum ahead of this contest. The Tigers also have the edge in the pitching matchup, as Koyo Aoyagi's ERA is more than two points better than Ren Kazahari's.
Injuries
Kyuji Fujikawa - Out - Upper Body
8/14 1:23 AM IST - The Tigers deactivated Fujikawa on Thursday, citing an upper-body injury, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. Fujikawa previously missed time in July with a right shoulder injury, so it's possible the reliever is dealing with a related setback. The 40-year-old was lights out at the back of the Hanshin bullpen in 2019, but he's struggled mightily so far this season, posting a 7.20 ERA and 10:9 K:BB in 10 innings while converting only two saves.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows (25-32-5) at Hanshin Tigers (30-29-3)
Thursday, September 3rd, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
Hanshin Tigers: RHP Koyo Aoyagi (6-3, 3.30 ERA)
Tokyo Yakult Swallows: RHP Ren Kazahari (0-0, 5.63 ERA)
Game Preview
The Tigers are on a remarkable rise in the standings and, even though they were dead last in the Central League a few weeks ago, now they have risen to second place with a 30-29-3 record following three wins in their last five games. The Swallows, on the other hand, have won two of their last three but are in last place of the standings – they sit four games behind the Tigers and 11.5 games away from the first-placed team, the Yomiuri Giants. With that in mind, the Tigers seem to have all the momentum ahead of this contest. The Tigers also have the edge in the pitching matchup, as Koyo Aoyagi's ERA is more than two points better than Ren Kazahari's.
Injuries
Kyuji Fujikawa - Out - Upper Body
8/14 1:23 AM IST - The Tigers deactivated Fujikawa on Thursday, citing an upper-body injury, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. Fujikawa previously missed time in July with a right shoulder injury, so it's possible the reliever is dealing with a related setback. The 40-year-old was lights out at the back of the Hanshin bullpen in 2019, but he's struggled mightily so far this season, posting a 7.20 ERA and 10:9 K:BB in 10 innings while converting only two saves.
Joe Gunkel - Out - Back
7/14 2:41 PM IST - Gunkel was removed from the Tigers' active roster Tuesday after experiencing back tightness during pregame warmups. Gunkel had made one start for the Tigers this season, but he'll have to wait until he's able to pitch again. The severity of the injury is unclear, but the right-hander will be forced to miss at least 10 days as a result of the injury. Gunkel allowed three runs while striking out three over four innings in his first start this year.
Juri Hara - Out - Undisclosed
7/21 11:43 PM IST - Hara (1-0) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings as he earned the win Tuesday against the BayStars. Hara's first Central League start of 2020 looked like it could get out of control after he gave up three runs in the first inning, but he was able to bounce back with four scoreless innings, putting him in line for the win. The 27-year-old made 12 starts with the Swallows last season, posting a 4.8 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 74 innings.
Yasutaka Shiomi - Out - Undisclosed
8/13 2:41 AM IST - The Swallows deactivated Shiomi on Wednesday due an undisclosed reason, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. The 27-year-old outfielder has been productive in a limited sample of 57 plate appearances this season, batting .294 with five home runs and three stolen bases. It's unclear when Shiomi might be ready to resume playing for the Swallows.
Albert Suarez - Out - Not Injury Related
7/10 5:49 AM IST - The Swallows deactivated Suarez on Wednesday, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. Though the right-hander is sitting on a microscopic 0.53 ERA through three starts, the Swallows want Suarez to hit the reset button and work on his mechanics after he walked seven batters in Tuesday's win over the Dragons. The Swallows replaced Suarez on the active roster with lefty Keiji Suzuki, but it's not expected that the 30-year-old will miss more than one turn through the rotation.
Hanshin Tigers Expected Lineup
3. Yoshio Itoi
5. Justin Bour
6. Jerry Sands
8. Seiya Kinami
9. Koyo Aoyagi
Tokyo Yakult Swallows Expected Lineup
6. Yuhei Takai
9. Ren Kazahari
Top Picks From Each Team
Jerry Sands, Hanshin Tigers: .282/.385/.559, 14 HR, 45 RBI
Munetaka Murakami, Tokyo Yakult Swallows: .339/.447/.588, 11 HR, 47 RBI
Captaincy Options
Dream11 Team
P – Koyo Aoyagi
C – Ryutaro Umeno
IF – Justin Bour (VC)
IF – Yusuke Ohyama
IF – Munetaka Murakami
OF – Jerry Sands (C)
OF – Norichika Aoki
OF – Tomotaka Sakaguchi
OF – Koji Chikamoto
