This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy NPB series.
Saitama Seibu Lions (28-33-2) at Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (31-31-3)
Friday, September 4th, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
Fighters: RHP Toshihiro Sugiura (5-2, 2.93 ERA)
Lions: RHP Zach Neal (2-4, 4.87 ERA)
Game Preview
The Fighters and the Lions currently sit in fourth and fifth place of the Pacific League standings and, if the 2020 NPB season ended today, they would be out of the playoffs. The good news, however, is that both are within distance of fourth place so this game could have huge playoff implications now that the 2020 campaign is entering its second half. The pitching matchup for this duel features two righties, as Toshihiro Siguira will get the ball for the Fighters and Zach Neal will start for the Lions. The numbers lean towards Siguira's side, as he owns a sub-3.00 ERA while Neal's figure creeps closer to the 5.00 mark.
Injuries
Katsuhiko Kumon - Out - Upper Leg
7/31 1:37 AM IST - Kumon was deactivated Thursday and is expected to miss four weeks due a strained adductor muscle in his left leg, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. Kumon picked up the injury in his appearance in Wednesday's game against the Buffaloes, during which he blew a one-run lead. The lefty reliever owns a 4.97 ERA and 11:4 K:BB across 12.2 innings this season.
Nick Martinez - Day-To-Day - Finger
8/21 11:02 PM IST - Martinez was diagnosed with a bruised right ring finger after being struck by a comebacker during his start in Thursday's loss
