This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy NPB series.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (6-7-1) vs Yokohama DeNA BayStars (9-7)
Thursday, July 9th, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Masato Morishita (1-0, 1.72 ERA) vs RHP Shoichi Inoh (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Game Preview
This matchup between the Carp and the BayStars seem to have a clear favorite on paper, as the BayStars have been one of the best teams in the Central League; at least after the first few weeks, they look like the only team capable of going toe-to-toe with the Yomiuri Giants. Meanwhile, the Carp might have a shot at fighting for the playoffs, but they didn't start the season on a strong note. The pitching matchup will face Masato Morishita against Shoichi Inoh. Morishita has looked good thanks to a 1.72 ERA in his first two starts, but he has also struck out 15 batters while allowing just three runs in 15.2 innings of work. He will be severely tested by the strong BayStars lineup, though. Yokohama will counter with Inoh, who has a 3.60 ERA after allowing two runs in five innings during his lone start of 2020.
Carp's Expected Lineup
P – Masato Morishita
LF – Jose Pirela
2B – Ryosuke Kikuchi
CF – Ryoma Nishikawa
RF – Seiya Suzuki
3B – Alejandro Mejia
C – Tsubasa Aizawa
1B – Shota Dobayashi
SS – Kosuke Tanaka
BayStars' Expected Lineup
P – Shoichi Inoh
CF – Takayuki Kajitani
2B – Neftali Soto
RF – Tyler Austin
LF – Keita Sano
1B – Jose Lopez
3B –
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (6-7-1) vs Yokohama DeNA BayStars (9-7)
Thursday, July 9th, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Masato Morishita (1-0, 1.72 ERA) vs RHP Shoichi Inoh (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
Game Preview
This matchup between the Carp and the BayStars seem to have a clear favorite on paper, as the BayStars have been one of the best teams in the Central League; at least after the first few weeks, they look like the only team capable of going toe-to-toe with the Yomiuri Giants. Meanwhile, the Carp might have a shot at fighting for the playoffs, but they didn't start the season on a strong note. The pitching matchup will face Masato Morishita against Shoichi Inoh. Morishita has looked good thanks to a 1.72 ERA in his first two starts, but he has also struck out 15 batters while allowing just three runs in 15.2 innings of work. He will be severely tested by the strong BayStars lineup, though. Yokohama will counter with Inoh, who has a 3.60 ERA after allowing two runs in five innings during his lone start of 2020.
Carp's Expected Lineup
P – Masato Morishita
LF – Jose Pirela
2B – Ryosuke Kikuchi
CF – Ryoma Nishikawa
RF – Seiya Suzuki
3B – Alejandro Mejia
C – Tsubasa Aizawa
1B – Shota Dobayashi
SS – Kosuke Tanaka
BayStars' Expected Lineup
P – Shoichi Inoh
CF – Takayuki Kajitani
2B – Neftali Soto
RF – Tyler Austin
LF – Keita Sano
1B – Jose Lopez
3B – Toshiro Miyazaki
C – Hikaru Itoh
SS – Yamato Maeda
Top Picks
Toshiro Miyazaki, BayStars: Miyazaki has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the NPB so far this season and the numbers back him up. The infielder has a .397 average to go along with five home runs and 15 RBI, leading the BayStars in all categories in 2020.
Seiya Suzuki, Carp: Suzuki has been one of the league's most productive hitters in 2020 and has looked dominant every time he steps to the plate. The numbers back him up, though, as he has posted a .412 average with six homers and 13 RBI in 51 at-bats.
Tyler Austin, BayStars: Austin got off a slow start, but he has managed to pick things up of late and is now hitting a robust .313/.400/.563 with two homers and 11 RBI in 55 plate appearances. He is clearly on the rise and should be rostered in this matchup.
Shota Dobayashi, Carp: Suzuki might be the most productive hitter in the Carp roster, but Dohbayashi has been close. He has a better average (.415) and only three home runs, but has been seeing the ball well and that also has value, especially with his current numbers.
Captaincy Options
Dream11 Team
P – Shoichi Inoh
C – Yuta Shirahama
IF – Shota Dobayashi
IF – Toshiro Miyazaki (C)
IF – Neftali Soto
OF – Seiya Suzuki (VC)
OF – Tyler Austin
OF – Jose Pirela
OF – Takayuki Kajitani
