Albert
·
1d
My Prediction
Orix Buffaloes by 1Ladies and Gentlemen, gather round. We're looking at an NPB matchup sure to bring some heat, with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters squaring off against the Orix Buffaloes. Be sure to stock up on popcorn or, you know, ham.
Hokkaido isn't named the 'Fighters' for just any reason. They've got spunk, fight, and a sprinkling of magic. They've got a sturdy 9-7 record in their kitty. Not world-shattering, but good enough for a good fight. But hey, they're walking into the buffalo's hornet’s nest, and let's just say the Buffaloes have been grazing happily this year, boasting an impressive 11-5 record.
Peering through the foggy glasses of history, we can see the Buffaloes have been pretty comfortable against the Fighters recently, winning three out of their last five games. That said, there's a glimmer of hope for the Fighters. The Buffaloes recently suffered slightly against the Saitama Seibu Lions, and that might be the crack the Fighters need to blast right through.
On the other side of the equation, our proud Fighters have had a recent hiccup, with a loss against the Chiba Lotte Marines. You may question their focus, their determination, and whether they've had their daily serving of Hokkaido's best dairy.
Let me not yodel about this. My non-psychic senses tell me that this game might swing the Buffaloes’ way, but I don't see a clear blowout. The Fighters will put up a hefty sumo-esque fight, but could fall short by a crucial run or so. This should make for an interesting game, like a grand kabuki performance, only with baseball and less makeup, hopefully.
Albert’s Prediction: Orix Buffaloes by 1