This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy NPB series.
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (29-29-3) at Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (36-23-2)
Sunday, August 30th, 0:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
Neither team has announced its starting pitcher for Sunday's contest.
Game Preview
Neither side has announced its starting pitcher for this contest, although the Hawks should be treated as favorites solely based on what they've done this season when it comes to their record. Aside from winning the first two games of the current series against the Fighters, they sit in first place of the Pacific League with a comfortable 36-23-2 record, while the Fighters are in fourth place while having lost their past three games.
Injuries
Alfredo Despaigne - Day-To-Day - Not Injury Related
7/7 10:42 PM IST - Despaigne (not injury related) is scheduled to arrive in Japan on July 19 and will then quarantine for 14 days before reporting to the Hawks, Yahoo Sports Japan reports. Due to travel restrictions in their native Cuba, Despaigne and infielder Yurisbel Gracial have thus far been unable to join the Hawks, and it appears their season debuts won't be coming at any point in July. Even once they arrive in Japan and complete their quarantine periods, Despaigne and Gracial will likely both require rehab games in the minors to get their timing right at the plate before SoftBank elects to add either player to the active roster. In his sixth NPB season and third with the Hawks in 2019, Despaigne slashed .259/.355/.520 with 36 home runs, 88 RBI and 61 runs in 519
