NPB Update: Picks For The Best Betting Odds

Lotte Marines vs. Nippon Ham Fighters

The Lotte Marines have 11 hits and five runs in their last match alone - against the Nippon Ham Fighters. The Marines are in second place, and only need to win one game to move up to the first. They’re currently 14-11 this season. The Fighters are a whole different story. They’re looking not to finish in the last place with a 9-15 record. The Fighters will have Ryusei Kawano pitching for them, who is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA this season. Kawano is playing his rookie season right now, walking 11 batters and striking out eight in his first three games. His stats are nothing to sing home about - a WHIP of 1.65, a home run rate of 1.1 per nine innings, and a 6.1 walk rate per nine innings.

His most recent game looked good, going 7.1 innings and allowing eight hits and two runs. That is solid for him, but still nowhere as good as the league’s best. Despite playing a team, the Buffaloes, which have a below-average offense, he didn’t help his team much. He is yet to post a win in the NPB. The Marines will put up Yuki Ariyoshi who is 1-0 with two games played. In the league alone he has had two starts with eight innings combined, allowing seven hits and two runs. Opponents are hitting .241 against him, and he only went 87 pitches in this match.

Prediction.

The Marines are in impeccable form. The Fighters have had to literally fight to keep up against their opponents and have a losing record as of now. Kawano hasn’t pulled through for their team, and he might have to leave this game early. The Marines will turn this game into a run-scoring fest, so it will make for a great match to watch. Pick the Marines to win this game with no doubt.

Softbank Hawks vs. Orix Buffaloes

This game is going to be a close one. Both these teams met recently when the Hawks narrowly won. The Buffaloes are 4-5 in their last 10 games, and the Hawks are 7-3. The Hawks is one of the few teams with a winning record at home. The game won’t be easy though, going against pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He is currently 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in four games. 

His last start saw him playing all nine innings against the Nippon Ham Fighters. His opponents have been hitting him with a .162 average, which rounds up his amazing statistics. 

The Hawk’s answer to him will be Akira Niho. His season hasn’t fared well; four starts led to a 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA. His career numbers are only slightly better than his abysmal 1.69 WHIP this season. He has walked more than struck out throughout his career. But he did win against the Rakuten Eagles in his last game as a starter. But the Buffaloes have one of the worst offensive performances in the league, so, they aren’t a tough competition to go up against. It’s easy to pick the Buffaloes despite this because of Yamamoto’s form.

Yakult Swallows vs. Hiroshima Carp

The Yakult Swallows will be confident this game after their win against the Hiroshima Carp. The Carp couldn’t find its rhythm at home, with a losing record of 2-7. The Swallows are high up comparatively, only 2.5 games away from first place in the league and a stellar winning record in away games. It’s almost a sure-shot win for the Swallows this time. They will start with Hirotoshi Takanashi who is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in his three games. His form hasn’t been as strong as in previous years, but it is still getting the job done. His last start was a win, where he played for five innings. 

The issue for the Swallows in their bullpen - as a team, their ERA is the worst in the league. Their offense is also way below average. They will be faced with  Hiroshima’s Atsushi Endoh, who is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA. He played reliever last season and hasn’t adapted to playing starter well, not being able to do a decent job against the Dragon’s defense, which is in poor form. The pitching lineup is beneficial for the Swallows as Takanashi’s stats this season look good. Bet on the Swallows for this game, given their great away record, and the Carp’s poor at-home record.