Saitama vs Chiba Lotte Prediction 26 September 2026
📡 Lotte gained a crucial boost ahead of Game 2 in the series, rallying past Seibu on Friday with a 6-2 victory after scoring five runs over the final two innings. For the hosts, it's now a third straight defeat following a disappointing road trip to Fukuoka. Seibu turn to Sugaya on the mound, while Lotte counter with the more experienced Kojima.
Lotte seize the advantage in a tightly contested series against Seibu
📊 Lotte have claimed six of the last ten head-to-head meetings, while Seibu have taken four, with Lotte holding a narrow 35-34 edge in runs scored. Notably, Lotte have come out on top in two of the last three completed games, winning 1-0 and 6-2. The series remains tightly contested, but recent momentum is gradually shifting in favor of the visitors.
Head-to-head statistics Saitama - Chiba Lotte
Seibu have now dropped three straight games, with their bullpen letting them down once again.
Seibu are holding on to second place, but the closing stretch has been anything but smooth. The team suffered back-to-back defeats against Fukuoka, 5-6 and 3-10, before falling at home to Lotte, 2-6. On Friday, the hosts led 2-1 after seven innings, but the bullpen surrendered five runs down the stretch. Despite this, the late-inning group remains reliable overall: Kaino boasts a 1.95 ERA, while Moriwaki sits at 1.89. Seibu’s main objective remains clear - they need their starter to give them an early edge once again.
Match Results: Saitama Seibu Lions
Lotte sparked their attack with a powerful late comeback.
Lotte snapped their three-game losing streak with a commanding 6-2 win, thanks to a late surge. Nishikawa delivered the decisive three-run homer, while Yamaguchi chipped in with two RBIs and continues to lead the team with 32 home runs and 68 RBIs. In the bullpen, Yokoyama has tallied 33 saves and Suzuki has recorded 29 holds, giving the visitors a reliable setup to protect any lead after Kojima exits the mound.
Match Results: Chiba Lotte Marines
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Sugai, a left-hander, enters with a 3.06 ERA across nine outings-all starts-posting a 2-3 record. Over 47 innings, he has surrendered 42 hits, notched 29 strikeouts, and allowed 16 runs, with a WHIP of 1.23. He has yet to record a complete game or a shutout. Sugai holds opposing hitters to a .239 average, but his strikeout rate of 5.55 per nine innings means the defense is kept busy behind him.
Kojima, also a southpaw, carries a 3.66 ERA through 16 starts, going 5-8 on the year. In 91 innings, he's given up 82 hits, struck out 69, and conceded 42 runs, with a WHIP of 1.21. He has delivered nine quality starts and one complete game. Kojima limits batters to a .240 average and has repeatedly provided Lotte with much-needed depth, often working six or more innings per outing.
⭐ Editor’s Prediction
Lotte enter this rematch riding high after a victory that showcased their resilience-they didn’t just get the result, they overturned the scoreline against a strong opponent in the eighth and ninth innings. Over the last ten head-to-head meetings, the visitors hold a 6-4 edge, and a recent 6-2 win underlines their lineup’s ability to get to Seibu’s starting pitching as well as their bullpen. Kojima has logged more innings this season and boasts nine quality starts, while Sugai has only thrown 47 innings and is far less effective at finishing off hitters with strikeouts. Nishikawa and Yamaguchi are providing the offensive spark Lotte need right now, and a reliable late-inning group allows them to protect slim leads. The pick here is a Lotte win.
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Betting Tips: Saitama Seibu Lions - Chiba Lotte Marines
in 6 of last 7 games (NPB).Other predictions
