Nippon-Ham Fighters vs Fukuoka Softbank Prediction 2 September 2026
📡 Nippon-Ham extended their winning streak to four games after edging out the Pacific League leaders 2-1. Fukuoka remain atop the standings with a 73-44-2 record, though their magic number has only dropped to M18. The second game offers the visitors a prime opportunity to respond: Naoyuki Uwasawa is enjoying a strong season, while the hosts will send Kota Tatsu to the mound.
Head-to-Head
📊 Even after yesterday’s defeat, Fukuoka still hold a commanding edge in the season series. Over their last ten meetings, Fukuoka have claimed five wins, Nippon-Ham have secured four victories, and one game ended in a draw. Looking at the broader season head-to-head, the hosts have managed just five wins compared to Fukuoka’s 15, with one draw between them.
Head-to-head statistics Nippon-Ham Fighters - Fukuoka Softbank
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Team Overview
Nippon-Ham entered September riding one of their strongest stretches of the season: after sweeping Lotte three games to none, they edged out Fukuoka 2-1. On Tuesday, the team managed just three hits but made them count-Imagawa tied the game with a home run, and Castro drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Yamazaki delivered seven innings of one-run ball before Hori and Yanagawa closed things out. Their record now stands at 68-53-1.
Match Results: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Team Overview
Fukuoka fell short despite recording four hits and just a single run, even though Moinelo once again delivered a solid start. Prior to this, the team had won four out of five and continue to top the standings, holding a five-game lead over Seibu. Notably, even after this setback, Fukuoka still dominate the season series against Nippon-Ham with a 15-5-1 record. Their commanding head-to-head advantage underscores how consistently Fukuoka have found answers against this opponent throughout the year.
Match Results: Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Kota Tatsu, a right-hander for Nippon-Ham, has featured in 23 games this season, starting 13 of them. He boasts a 2.92 ERA, a 4-6 record, and has logged 98.2 innings. Tatsu has allowed 78 hits, struck out 98 batters, and given up 34 runs, with a WHIP of 1.01. With nine quality starts to his name, he’s proven he can consistently keep his team in contention deep into games in his current role.
Naoyuki Uwasawa, the righty for Fukuoka, has been even more reliable: a 2.64 ERA across 17 starts, a 7-4 record, and 102.1 innings pitched. He’s surrendered 94 hits, struck out 92, and allowed 38 runs, with a WHIP of 1.13. Uwasawa has delivered quality starts in 11 of his 17 outings, routinely giving his club at least six solid innings nearly every time he takes the mound.
⭐ Editor's Pick
Yesterday, Nippon-Ham capitalised on three hits with clinical efficiency, but it’s tough to replicate that kind of scenario consistently. Fukuoka remain the stronger side in this season’s head-to-head, leading the series 15-5-1 after 21 games. Uwasawa, with a 2.64 ERA and 11 quality starts, gives the visitors a stable platform on the mound, while Tatsu-despite solid overall numbers-holds a losing record at 4-6. On Tuesday, Fukuoka left plenty of offensive potential untapped, scoring just one run off four hits. Over the course of the season, the visitors have regularly found ways to break through Nippon-Ham’s pitching, so after a narrow defeat, it’s reasonable to expect them to convert more opportunities. The optimal pick here is a Fukuoka win.
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Betting Tips: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters - Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
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