Dream11 Fantasy NPB: Lions at Buffaloes

Saitama Seibu Lions (23-27-2) at ORIX Buffaloes (17-33-4)

Saturday, August 22nd, 1:00 AM EDT

Projected Starters

Buffaloes: RHP Yaku Cho (0-1, 5.40 ERA)

Lions: TBD

Game Preview

This game will feature the two worst teams – record-wise – in the Pacific League, and both seem to be quite far from the playoffs. As things stand now, the Lions are 6.0 games behind the first-placed Chiba Lotte Marines, while the Buffaloes are even further down the standings and, at 12.0 games behind, they would be smarter if they start thinking what they can do to strengthen the side ahead of the 2021 season and beyond.

Injuries

Andrew Albers - Out - Undisclosed

7/30 2:57 AM IST - The Buffaloes deactivated Albers on Wednesday, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. Though an explanation for Albers' removal from the roster isn't known, it's likely the result of an injury rather than any dissatisfaction the club may have had with his performance. The 34-year-old southpaw had fared respectably through his first six starts, going 2-3 with a 3.78 ERA and 29:9 K:BB over 33.1 innings.

Motoki Higa - Out - Biceps

7/9 4:26 AM IST - Higa was removed from the Buffaloes roster Wednesday due to an injury to his left biceps muscle, Full-Count.jp reports. Higa is a right-handed pitcher for Orix, so while his biceps issue appears fairly concerning, it's somewhat of a relief that the injury is to his non-throwing arm. The 37-year-old has been a trusted member of the Buffaloes bullpen so far during the young season, appearing in eight games and recording four holds while having yet to allow a run.

Shoki Katsumata - Out - Orbital

7/23 1:17 AM IST - Katsumata was diagnosed Wednesday with a orbital floor fracture of his right eye, Full-Count.jp reports. Katsumata sustained the injury after being hit in the eye during a defensive drill with the Buffaloes' minor-league affiliate. The 23-year-old appeared in three games with Orix earlier this season, going 0-for-4 at the dish in those contests.

Aderlin Rodriguez - Out - Forearm

7/31 1:35 AM IST - The Buffaloes deactivated Rodriguez on Thursday after he suffered a left forearm contusion in Wednesday's game against the Fighters, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. Rodriguez was credited with a game-tying RBI when he was hit by the pitch, but it came at a costly price. While Rodriguez was fortunate that X-rays cleared him of any structural damage to his forearm, he'll still be shut down for a few days while he looks to shake off the bruise. Rodriguez is batting .223 with five home runs and 19 RBI across 142 plate appearances on the season.

Taisuke Yamaoka - Out - Oblique

6/27 9:58 AM IST - Yamaoka (oblique) was diagnosed with muscle damage and will likely miss some time as a result of his injury from Friday's loss to the Marines, Baseball King reports. The right-hander exited Friday's start after just three pitches after experiencing left flank discomfort, and he underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed "muscle damage of the left internal oblique muscle." Yamaoka will be sidelined until at least July 7, but it's unclear whether he'll have to miss any additional time afterwards.

Orix Buffaloes Expected Lineup

1. Takahiro Okada

2. Aderlin Rodriguez

3. Masataka Yoshida

4. Adam Jones

5. Keita Nakagawa

6. Koji Ohshiro

7. Kenya Wakatsuki

8. Ryoichi Adachi

9. Shunta Gotoh

Saitama Seibu Lions Expected Lineup

1. Cory Spangenberg

2. Sosuke Genda

3. Shuta Tonosaki

4. Hotaka Yamakawa

5. Tomoya Mori

6. Takeya Nakamura

7. Takumi Kuriyama

8. Seiji Kawagoe

9. Shohei Suzuki

Top Picks From Each Team

Adam Jones, Buffaloes: Jones has been one of the most consistent and productive hitters in the Buffaloes lineup, and he has been making damage from the cleanup role. He has six homers and 26 RBI while hitting for .240 with a .697 OPS. Those numbers are far from dominant, but they still stand out in Orix's weak lineup.

Hotaka Yamakawa, Lions: Like Jones, Yamakawa has also been thriving as a cleanup hitter. He is hitting .246 with 16 home runs, but he is also providing value with his ability to get on base – he has a stellar .401 on-base percentage.

Captaincy Options

1. Adam Jones
2. Hotaka Yamakawa
3. Takahiro Okada
4. Cory Spangenberg

Dream11 Team

P – Yaku Cho

C – Sena Tsuge

IF – Hotaka Yamakawa (VC)

IF – Aderlin Rodriguez

OF – Masataka Yoshida

OF – Takahiro Okada

OF – Adam Jones (C)

OF – Shunta Gotoh

OF – Cory Spangenberg