Fukuoka Softbank vs Chiba Lotte Prediction 13 August 2026
📡 Fukuoka have turned their home series into a showcase of offensive firepower. After cruising to a 16-2 win, the Pacific League leaders once again hit double digits, taking a 10-4 victory. Over two nights, the hosts have racked up 26 runs, while Lotte have managed just six. For game three, Fukuoka are sending a less reliable starter to the mound, but the gap between the two offenses remains so significant that a handicap prediction still looks well-founded.
Head-to-Head
📊 Fukuoka lead the head-to-head against Lotte with an 11-4-1 record and a 82:55 run differential. The hosts have nearly three times as many wins and boast a +27 run advantage. The opening two games of the current series were particularly telling: Fukuoka claimed back-to-back victories, each by at least six runs.
Head-to-head statistics Fukuoka Softbank - Chiba Lotte
Fukuoka Softbank Hawks Team Overview
Fukuoka currently top the Pacific League standings with a 66-36-1 record and a magic number of 31. In head-to-head clashes with Lotte, they’ve racked up 82 runs and 20 home runs, with the last two meetings only widening the gap. Even after grabbing an early lead, their offense keeps piling on runs against the opposition’s middle and late relief pitching.
Match Results: Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
Chiba Lotte Marines Team Overview
Lotte have dropped to 46-51-3 after conceding 26 runs over their last two games. Their team ERA against Fukuoka this season has climbed to 4.96, with just four wins in 16 head-to-head meetings. After such a heavy workload, it’s especially challenging to approach Game 3 with frequent bullpen calls-the starter needs to eat up as many innings as possible to avoid a repeat of the previous nights’ struggles.
Match Results: Chiba Lotte Marines
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Carter Stewart Jr. takes the mound for Fukuoka as a right-hander. His season has been inconsistent: a 5.05 ERA over 13 starts with a 6-4 record; 62.1 innings pitched, 71 hits allowed, 55 strikeouts, 37 runs given up, and a 1.60 WHIP. Stewart allows plenty of baserunners, but still manages a positive win-loss record and shows enough velocity to rack up strikeouts.
Haruyasu Tanaka will start for Lotte, also as a righty. In ten outings, he’s posted a 4.83 ERA and a 1-5 record; 50.1 innings pitched, 53 hits allowed, 41 strikeouts, 29 runs surrendered, and a 1.45 WHIP. Four of his starts have been quality outings, but with 20 walks and six home runs conceded, Tanaka faces real danger against an offense that’s been punishing opponents for every extra base lately.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
The main risk with this handicap is clear-Stewart carries a 5.05 ERA and could easily give Lotte a chance to stay in the game. However, his numbers against this particular opponent are much stronger: two starts, two wins, and a 2.31 ERA. On the other side, Tanaka stands at 1-5, while Fukuoka have racked up 26 runs over their last 18 innings. The gap between these teams isn’t just about the current series: Fukuoka’s season record of 11-4-1 and a run differential of 82:55 underline their consistent superiority. For this bet to land, Fukuoka need to win by at least two runs-and both games in this series have finished with margins well above that threshold. Even if the hosts aren’t as explosive offensively, they still boast clear advantages in both lineup depth and firepower. The final pick: Fukuoka -1.5.
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Betting Tips: Fukuoka Softbank Hawks - Chiba Lotte Marines
in 6 of last 7 Fukuoka Softbank Hawks home games (NPB).in 6 of last 7 Chiba Lotte Marines games (NPB).in 12 of last 14 Chiba Lotte Marines games (NPB).in 10 of last 11 games (NPB).in 9 of last 10 home games (NPB).Other predictions
