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Once leading 2-0 in the NPB Japan Series, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have now gone on a 26-inning scoreless streak as the Yokohama DeNA BayStars take Game 5 with a score of 7-0. The SoftBank Hawks are now trailing 2-3 as the series shifts to the Yokohama Stadium, home of the BayStars.
After a blazing start in Japan's biggest series, the bats of the Hawks have gone ice cold against the pitching of the BayStars. This is in large part due to the stellar performances of Anthony Kay and Andre Jackson on the mound.
If there's something that Fukuoka should hold on to, it's the fact that all of the wins in the Japan Series this season have been on the road.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars - Recent form and records
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have now lost three straight games at home in the Japan Series, a feat that has only happened thrice since the millenia turned.
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The team was also on the receiving end of it against the Yomiuri Giants in 2000, when the SoftBank Hawks were known as the Daiei Hawks. But they also dished it out in 2011, when they took all the games on the road against the Chunichi Dragons.
As for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, they have won 9 out of 11 games on the road in their Cinderella postseason run. However, the team has yet to win at home as they dropped the first two games of the Japan Series to the SoftBank Hawks on their own turf.
Players to watch
Starting pitcher
Kohei Arihara, Hawks (14-7, 2.36 ERA in regular season)
It is now or never for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' pitching staff. Manager Hiroki Kokubo is expected to tap into Japan Series Game 1 starter Kohei Arihara to level things up.
In his last start against the BayStars, Arihara pitched seven innings with no-run earned runs, four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
Hitter
Sugo Maki, BayStars
It was BayStars captain Shugo Maki that hit the go-ahead RBI single that gave the team its first CL pennant since 1990.
"Shugo Maki puts the BayStars in front with an RBI single off Tomoyuki Sugano in the 9th!" - @ Yakyu Cosmopolitan
Maki hit a three-run blast in Game 5 as he turned the usully loud Mizuho PayPay Dome into a library. As he has proven it in the past, expect him to come up big in Game 6 and help the BayStars in the would-be title-deciding match.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars Baseball Betting Odds
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars Expert Predictions
For the first time in this series and perhaps the calendar year, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are coming into the game as the underdogs. Many expect skipper Hiroki Kokubo to make huge strategic adjustments to inject some life into the anemic offense. Hawks starter Kohei Arihara has already proven that he can win on the road against the BayStars.
The only thing that Yokohama has left to prove is if they can win in their home stadium. If they can replicate their success in the last three games, they are bound to win their first NPB title in more than 30 years.
Run Spread: +1.5
Total Runs: Under 6.5
Prediction: Hawks 4, BayStars 2
