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The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will look to extend their 13-game win streak in Game 2 of the NPB Japan Series as they take on the resilient Yokohama DeNA BayStars away from home. The Hawks hold a 1-0 lead as the BayStars aim to bounce back before the series shifts to Fukuoka.
SoftBank was running away with a 5-0 lead in Game 1 before the BayStars made a spirited comeback. However, they ultimately fell short of their goal as former American League saves leader Roberto Osuna shut the door on them.
Hawks vs. BayStars Recent Form and Records
The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks finished the 2024 NPB season as the best team after winning 91 out of the 143 games they played. It made them the automatic first seed in the Pacific League, earning a bye in the first round. In the final stage of the PL Climax Series, they made quick work of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, sweeping them in four games to claim the pennant.
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On the other hand, the Yokohama DeNA Baystars had to overcome every hurdle in the postseason. The team finished with a 71-69-3 record in the regular season, good for third in the Central League. They exhausted every game required in the NPB postseason to reach the Japan Series.
Yokohama defeated the second-seed Hanshin Tigers 3-2 in the first round. They then stunned the first-seed Yomiuri Giants 4-3 in the final stage to claim the Central League pennant.
Players to Watch
Starting Pitchers
Livan Moinelo, Hawks (1-0, 3.00 ERA, 4 SO in postseason)
Given the secretive nature and unpredictability of starting pitching in the Japan baseball league, the most educated guess to start Game 2 is Livan Moinelo.
Moinelo was mercurial for the Hawks in the regular season. He tallied an 11-5 record with a 1.85 ERA in 25 games with 155 strikeouts across 163 innings. The reliever-turned-starter is poised to continue the momentum he built this year.
Last start: Game 2 of the PL Climax Series Final Stage against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (6.0 innings pitched, two earned runs, eight hits, one walk and four strikeouts)
Hitters
Tyler Austin, BayStars
Former New York Yankees first baseman Tyler Austin has played a huge role in the magical run of the Yokohama DeNA Baystars this season. In 106 regular season games, he registered 25 home runs with 69 RBIs while batting .316/.382/.601.
Austin has also recorded a base hit in his last three postseason games. Expect him to continue the streak in Game 2.
Hawks vs. BayStars Baseball Betting Odds
Hawks vs. BayStars Expert Predictions
SoftBank has yet to drop a game this postseason. However, the BayStars proved in Game 1 that they can hang even against the juggernauts of the league. If Yokohama loses Game 2 at home, it would take a miracle for them to win at Fukuoka as it's been made a fortress by the Hawks this season.
Run Spread: +1.5
Total Runs: Under 5.5
Prediction: Hawks 2, BayStars 3
