This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy NPB series.
Hanshin Tigers (12-12) vs Hiroshima Toyo Carp (9-13-2)
Tuesday, July 21st, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Takumi Akiyama (1-1, 4.41 ERA) vs RHP Aren Kuri (1-1, 4.24 ERA)
Game Preview
The Tigers and the Carp will begin a three-game series Tuesday and, as of now, both sides are riding completely opposite runs of form. While Hanshin are clearly on the rise having won four straight games, the Carp are struggling and have found victory just once in their last five contests, including drawing their most recent one (3-3 against the Yakult Swallows). As a result, the Tigers are in third place of the Central League standings while the Carp fell to fifth place, although just three games separate them from each other. Thus, this three-game series might be pivotal for both franchises. The pitching matchup in the series opener will feature Takumi Akiyama for the Tigers and Aren Kuri for the Carp. Akiyama has a 4.41 ERA in 16.1 innings, while Kuri has posted a 4.24 mark in 17 frames. Very little separates these two hurlers, at least on paper.
Hanshin Tigers Expected Lineup:
CF – Koji Chikamoto
2B – Kento Itohara
RF – Yoshio Itoi
3B – Yusuke Ohyama
1B – Justin Bour
LF – Jerry Sands
C – Ryutaro Umeno
SS – Seiya Kinami
P – Takumi Akiyama
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Expected Lineup:
LF – Jose Pirela
2B – Ryosuke Kikuchi
CF – Ryoma Nishikawa
RF – Seiya Suzuki
1B – Ryuhei Matsuyama
C – Tsubasa Aizawa
Hanshin Tigers (12-12) vs Hiroshima Toyo Carp (9-13-2)
Tuesday, July 21st, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Takumi Akiyama (1-1, 4.41 ERA) vs RHP Aren Kuri (1-1, 4.24 ERA)
Game Preview
The Tigers and the Carp will begin a three-game series Tuesday and, as of now, both sides are riding completely opposite runs of form. While Hanshin are clearly on the rise having won four straight games, the Carp are struggling and have found victory just once in their last five contests, including drawing their most recent one (3-3 against the Yakult Swallows). As a result, the Tigers are in third place of the Central League standings while the Carp fell to fifth place, although just three games separate them from each other. Thus, this three-game series might be pivotal for both franchises. The pitching matchup in the series opener will feature Takumi Akiyama for the Tigers and Aren Kuri for the Carp. Akiyama has a 4.41 ERA in 16.1 innings, while Kuri has posted a 4.24 mark in 17 frames. Very little separates these two hurlers, at least on paper.
Hanshin Tigers Expected Lineup:
CF – Koji Chikamoto
2B – Kento Itohara
RF – Yoshio Itoi
3B – Yusuke Ohyama
1B – Justin Bour
LF – Jerry Sands
C – Ryutaro Umeno
SS – Seiya Kinami
P – Takumi Akiyama
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Expected Lineup:
LF – Jose Pirela
2B – Ryosuke Kikuchi
CF – Ryoma Nishikawa
RF – Seiya Suzuki
1B – Ryuhei Matsuyama
C – Tsubasa Aizawa
3B – Shota Dobayashi
SS – Kosuke Tanaka
P – Aren Kuri
Top picks:
Yusuke Ohyama, Tigers: Hitting .327 and with an OPS over the 1.000 plateau, it's clear Ohyama is the driving force in the Tigers offense. He has four home runs with 11 RBI this season and, while he trails Justin Bour in both stats, his hitting ability and consistency make him a better option for a captaincy role ahead of this game.
Shota Dobayashi, Carp: Dohbayashi has undoubtedly been one of the best players in the NBP this season, and his numbers back him up. The star third baseman enters this matchup with a .434/.472/.663 slash line along with four homers and 15 RBI. He is the best alternative for offense in the current Carp lineup.
Justin Bour, Tigers: Bour has been seeing the ball well of late and, as one would've expected, his power is playing well in the NBP environment. He currently leads the Tigers in both home runs (five) and RBI (13) while hitting a respectable .278 with a .481 slugging percentage.
Ryutaro Umeno, Tigers: The catcher position isn't one where fantasy managers can find offense on a consistent basis, but Umeno defies that notion. The Tigers' backstop has hit for .344 with a strong .978 OPS in 77 plate appearances. He also has two home runs.
Captaincy Options:
Dream11 Team
P – Takumi Akiyama
C – Ryutaro Umeno
IF – Yusuke Ohyama (C)
IF – Shota Dobayashi (VC)
IF – Justin Bour
IF – Hiroki Uemoto
IF – Ryosuke Kikuchi
OF – Seiya Suzuki
OF – Takayoshi Noma
