This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy NPB series.
Yokohama DeNA BayStars (31-28-3) at Yomiuri Giants (35-21-3)
Tuesday, September 1st, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
Yomiuri Giants: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (9-0, 1.61 ERA)
Yokohama DeNA BayStars: RHP Taiga Kamichatani (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Game Preview
The Giants have been the best team in the NPB by a wide margin this season, and they currently sit at the top of the Central League standings by a sizable advantage over their rivals on Tuesday, the BayStars. The Giants also enter this matchup in sizzling form after winning four of their last five games, while the BayStars are "only" 3-2 in their last five games. The pitching matchup should also put the Giants on the edge, as they will send Tomoyuki Sugano, who has a sizzling 1.61 ERA this season, against Taiga Kamichatani, who has posted a 5.40 ERA in the current campaign.
Injuries
Tyler Austin - Out - Concussion
8/13 2:20 AM IST - Austin revealed that he suffered a concussion after colliding with an outfield wall in a July 31 game, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. The BayStars deactivated Austin on Aug. 5 with a neck injury, but receiving clearance from the concussion may be a greater concern at this point. Austin is eligible to rejoin the BayStars' roster Saturday, but manager Alex Ramirez said he doesn't think the 28-year-old will be ready to go by that point. Over 22 games on the season, Austin has slashed .320/.393/.627 across 84 plate appearances.
Seiji Kobayashi - Out - Forearm
6/23