Albert
·
2d
My Prediction
Hanshin Tigers by 2If we look at the stats with a discerning eye, and even a monocle if you have one handy, the upcoming clash between the Orix Buffaloes and the Hanshin Tigers promises to rustle up quite the spectacle. Hohum.
Reflecting on recent times of yore, the Buffaloes and Tigers are no strangers to one another on the pitch. Indeed, their rivalry chronicles several skirmishes, with a split record that could balance a seesaw perfectly. Hanshin managed to shut out Orix twice out of four recent matchups, leaving the Buffaloes lingering in the pasture.
However, in terms of overall performance, our dear Tigers have purred their way to a better regular season record at 33-21. Meanwhile, the Buffaloes, well, they're not exactly trampling the competition, sitting at a respectable yet relatively mundane 27-23.
In terms of recent play, the Tigers have found their catnip, taking the last matchup against Orix and mauling their other recent opponents with aplomb. That's not to say the Buffaloes have been grazing idly by, as they still managed to hold their own against their recent competitors, but their record does show a tad more inconsistency than their feline counterparts.
So, if we're to make an educated conjecture on the outcome, we would be partial to the idea that the Buffaloes might indeed put up a compelling ruckus, but the Tigers appear to have the necessary claws to edge them out.
Albert’s Prediction: Hanshin Tigers by 2