Yokohama Baystars vs Chunichi Prediction 22 September 2026
📡 DeNA return home after back-to-back defeats against Hanshin-1-8 and 2-3-but still hold onto third place with a 66-66-3 record. Chunichi, meanwhile, wrapped up their homestand with emphatic wins over Hiroshima, 8-5 and 10-0. The spotlight in this prediction falls on a high-quality pitching matchup: Katsuki Azuma, boasting a 2.22 ERA, goes head-to-head with Kyle Muller, who carries a 2.45 ERA.
DeNA have claimed victory in their last three home games against Chunichi.
📊 DeNA have claimed victory in six of their last ten head-to-head meetings with Chunichi, outscoring them 33-26. The hosts looked particularly dominant at the end of August, stringing together three consecutive home wins-4-2, 1-0, and 4-3. Over the course of the season, DeNA’s advantage is even more pronounced: they lead the series 14-8-1, with a run differential of 77-58.
Head-to-head statistics Yokohama Baystars - Chunichi
Two defeats to Hanshin haven’t overshadowed DeNA’s strong September.
DeNA have largely maintained their strong form in September, despite suffering back-to-back defeats. Before falling to Hanshin, they put together an impressive eight-game winning streak and bounced back by edging Yakult 5-3. One of their key assets is pitching depth: Reynolds boasts a 1.37 ERA with 28 holds and 16 saves, while Nakagawa carries a 2.54 ERA and 21 holds. This allows the hosts to confidently hand over even a slim lead to their bullpen, provided Azuma delivers a solid start.
Match Results: Yokohama Dena Baystars
Chunichi have revitalized their offense, but their season series against DeNA remains a concern.
Chunichi responded emphatically to back-to-back defeats-0-2 and a heavy 1-14 loss to Yomiuri-by racking up 18 runs across two games against Hiroshima. With a 59-76-2 record, they remain in fourth place. The visitors’ main asset is their pitching staff: Muller is enjoying a strong season, while Matsuyama boasts a 1.52 ERA and 30 saves. However, Chunichi have struggled against DeNA all year, dropping 14 of their 23 head-to-head matchups and hitting just .204-well below their usual standard.
Match Results: Chunichi Dragons
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Katsuki Azuma, a left-hander, enters with a 2.22 ERA over 23 starts this season, posting an 11-5 record. Across 150 innings, he has allowed 121 hits, struck out 116 batters, and surrendered 44 runs, with a WHIP of just 0.95. Azuma has delivered 21 quality starts and tossed a complete game; his QS% sits above 90%. Combining command, depth, and consistency, he remains one of DeNA’s most reliable arms in the rotation.
Kyle Muller, also a southpaw, boasts a 2.45 ERA from 18 starts with a 7-7 record. In 117.1 innings, he has given up 97 hits, recorded 93 strikeouts, and allowed 35 runs, sporting a 1.03 WHIP. Muller has racked up 11 quality starts, including a complete game shutout. In his latest outing, Muller completely shut down Hanshin-tossing nine scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven.
⭐ Editor’s Prediction
Muller is in dangerous form right now, coming off a shutout performance, so DeNA don’t get an automatic edge in the starting pitching matchup. But Azuma has been even more consistent over the long haul-he boasts a 2.22 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and has delivered 21 quality starts in 23 outings. The hosts have also claimed 14 wins in 23 meetings with Chunichi this season, including six of the last ten, and they’ve come out on top in each of their last three home head-to-heads. While back-to-back losses at Koshien have cooled DeNA off a bit, they had won nine of ten prior to that skid. If the opening frames are evenly matched, DeNA’s deeper bullpen and their favorable record in the season series should give them the upper hand once the starters exit. Our pick is a DeNA win.
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Betting Tips: Yokohama Dena Baystars - Chunichi Dragons
in 6 of last 7 games (NPB).Other predictions
