Nippon-Ham Fighters vs Tohoku Rakuten Prediction 24 September 2026
📡 Game 3 of the series in Escom promises a compelling pitching matchup: Nippon-Ham send Kota Tatsu to the mound, who boasts a 0.98 WHIP, while Rakuten counter with Kenta Maeda and his 2.52 ERA. The hosts are still battling Seibu for second place, but Rakuten have picked up steam in recent weeks, riding a four-game winning streak heading into this series. The official starting pitchers for September 24 have been confirmed by the NPB.
Nippon-Ham have dominated the head-to-head, but recent encounters have become noticeably tighter.
📊 Heading into the September 23 clash, Nippon-Ham have dominated the recent head-to-head series, winning nine of the last ten completed meetings and outscoring Rakuten 42-28. Rakuten’s sole victory came with a 6-0 shutout in August, and on September 22, the visitors nearly pulled off another upset-jumping out to a 5-0 lead before ultimately falling 5-6. The nature of these recent games underlines that the hosts’ season-long advantage doesn’t guarantee straightforward wins.
Head-to-head statistics Nippon-Ham Fighters - Tohoku Rakuten
Nippon-Ham are staying within reach of second place, powered by a potent offense and a reliable bullpen.
Nippon-Ham currently sit third in the standings and, as of September 22, trail Seibu by just half a game. The offense is led by Franmil Reyes, who boasts a .313 average with 32 home runs and 82 RBIs. The team can also count on a reliable closer-Daisuke Yanagawa owns a 1.62 ERA and has recorded 28 saves. However, the recent series against Rakuten exposed some vulnerabilities: on September 22, the hosts quickly fell behind 5-0 and needed a dramatic comeback to salvage the game.
Match Results: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
Rakuten found their rhythm down the stretch and started putting points on the board consistently.
Rakuten remain bottom of the Pacific League, but their recent form tells a different story from their league position. Before heading to Escam, they posted back-to-back wins over Lotte by scores of 4-0 and 5-1, then followed up with two victories against Fukuoka, 5-2 and 5-3. Luke McCusker has already reached 23 home runs and 66 RBIs, Daisuke Nakajima is hitting .278, and Naomasa Fujihira has locked down 27 saves. Even their 5-6 defeat in the first game of the series came after a five-run performance, underlining that their offense is currently capable of applying real pressure.
Match Results: Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Kota Tatsu, a right-hander, enters with a 2.99 ERA across 26 appearances, including 16 starts, and holds a 5-7 record. Over 117.1 innings, he’s allowed 89 hits, struck out 120 batters, and surrendered 42 runs, posting an impressive 0.98 WHIP. Tatsu has delivered 11 quality starts and completed one full game. Opponents are hitting just .206 against him, and his combination of command and a 9.20 K/9 rate makes him a formidable challenge for the Rakuten lineup.
Kenta Maeda, also a righty, boasts a 2.52 ERA over 13 starts with a 4-4 record. In 71.1 innings of work, he’s given up 63 hits, punched out 55 hitters, and allowed 23 runs, with a 1.14 WHIP. He’s registered seven quality starts this season, though he’s yet to go the distance or record a shutout. Since returning to NPB, Maeda has done well to limit home runs-just five all year-giving Rakuten a steady presence on the mound in tight contests.
⭐ Editor’s Prediction
The head-to-head record clearly favors Nippon-Ham, and Tatsu is having an outstanding season, so picking the visitors here means weighing up the current form. Rakuten came into this series on a four-game winning streak, including back-to-back victories over reigning champions Fukuoka, and they jumped out to a 5-0 lead with five runs in the opener at Escom. Now, the visitors turn to Maeda, who boasts a 2.52 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP-a starter capable of keeping things tight even against the hosts’ potent lineup. While Tatsu remains a reliable presence on the mound, Rakuten have been capitalizing on their chances much more effectively in recent weeks, and Fujihira gives them a steady hand to close out games when ahead. Season-long stats call for some caution, but when you combine current momentum, quality starting pitching, and a rejuvenated offense, the visitors have a strong case to keep their run going. We’re backing Rakuten with a +1.5 run handicap.
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Betting Tips: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters - Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
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