This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy NPB series.
Chunichi Dragons (27-30-4) at Yomiuri Giants (33-21-3)
Sunday, August 28th, 1:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
Yomiuri Giants: LHP Nobutaka Imamura (1-0, 6.23 ERA)
Chunichi Dragons: RHP Yariel Rodriguez (2-0, 1.40 ERA)
Game Preview
The Giants are comfortably leading the Central League and have a 4.5-game lead over the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, meaning they shouldn't have major problems to reach the postseason later in the year. The Dragons are undoubtedly on the rise and, despite sitting near the bottom of the standings a few weeks ago, now they're in fourth place and just one game behind the third-placed Hanshin Tigers. To make things even better for the Dragons, they will send Yariel Rodriguez to the mound, and the righty has a 1.40 ERA that should scare opposing hitters. The Giants will counter with Nobutaka Imamura and his 6.23 ERA.
Injuries
Ryosuke Hirata - Out - Elbow
7/23 1:30 AM IST - The Dragons deactivated Hirata on Monday due to a right elbow injury. One of the Dragons' more reliable batsmen over the past couple of seasons, Hirata was dropped from the active roster after struggling early on in the 2020 campaign. Over 73 plate appearances, Hirata was batting just .164. Masataka Iryo is expected to take over as the Dragons' primary option in right field in Hirata's stead.
Shun Ishikawa - Out - Hand
7/22 1:24 AM IST - Ishikawa was removed from the Dragons' active roster ahead of Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Giants due to cartilage damage in
