Hiroshima vs Yokohama Baystars Prediction 26 August 2026
📡 Hiroshima and DeNA head into Game 2 of the series with an unconventional starting matchup: the hosts turn to Kenya Suzuki, who has spent much of the season outside a traditional starter’s role, while the visitors send out Katsuki Azuma, a mainstay of their rotation. The key factor in this prediction is whether Azuma can restore order on the mound and slow the scoring after a high-offense opener. The Suzuki-Azuma pairing is officially listed among today's starting pitchers.
Head-to-Head
📊 This matchup has recently produced both low-scoring battles and unexpectedly open games, so relying solely on head-to-head stats doesn’t guarantee a safe bet on the under. DeNA have generally held the edge in the season series, but Hiroshima have already shown at home that they can pressure contact pitchers. For the 7.5 total, the early innings will be crucial: if Azuma can keep things under control at the start, the overall pace should slow down.
Head-to-head statistics Hiroshima - Yokohama Baystars
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Team Overview
Hiroshima bring in Suzuki, who boasts an impressive 2.14 ERA this season, though he’s started just three times across 27 appearances. That’s a key point: starting isn’t his usual role, so his pitch count and outing length could be limited. For the hosts, the ideal scenario is to strike early for a couple of runs and avoid overtaxing the bullpen before the midway point. However, executing that plan against Azuma is a tall order-if they don’t break through early, DeNA’s lefty will dictate the tempo as the game unfolds.
Match Results: Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Yokohama Dena Baystars Team Overview
DeNA are getting a highly reliable starter. Azuma enters the game with a 2.47 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, and has delivered 17 quality starts in 19 outings. That profile is especially valuable after high-scoring games-he can limit traffic on the bases and give the visitors seven or eight composed innings. DeNA’s offense won’t need to press if their starter holds Hiroshima to just two or three runs.
Match Results: Yokohama Dena Baystars
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Kenya Suzuki, a right-handed underhand pitcher for Hiroshima, enters with a 2.14 ERA over 27 appearances (including three starts) this season. He owns a 1-2 record, having thrown 46.1 innings with 37 hits allowed, 23 strikeouts, 11 earned runs, and a 1.10 WHIP. While Suzuki has been effective overall, his workload as a starter remains limited.
Katsuki Azuma, the lefty for DeNA, has been the visitors’ ace this year. His numbers: a 2.47 ERA across 19 starts (19 appearances), a 10-5 record, 124.0 innings pitched, 99 hits allowed, 93 strikeouts, 40 earned runs, and an impressive 0.94 WHIP. Seventeen quality starts from nineteen outings underscore his status as DeNA’s main weapon on the mound.
⭐ Editor's Pick
The risk with the under 7.5 total primarily comes down to Suzuki’s role: if Hiroshima turn to their bullpen early, the game could become far less predictable. However, this pick is anchored by Azuma, who consistently gives DeNA quality innings and rarely allows opponents to string together big rallies. Suzuki’s overall ERA is solid as well, and his unorthodox pitching style could disrupt the visitors’ rhythm for several frames. As long as Hiroshima avoid a big opening inning and DeNA don’t force the hosts to go deep into their bullpen too soon, the under looks well within reach. Scorelines like 3-2, 4-2, or 4-3 would all keep this bet on track, so we’re backing under 7.5 total runs.
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Betting Tips: Hiroshima Toyo Carp - Yokohama Dena Baystars
in 8 of last 9 games (NPB).in 7 of last 8 Hiroshima Toyo Carp home games (NPB).in 7 of last 8 home games (NPB).in 6 of last 7 Yokohama Dena Baystars away games (NPB).Other predictions
