I'll tell you this much, our friends over in Chiba have been inconsistent lately, like a jalopy on a rocky road. They did manage to nab a win off Hanshin recently, but it was like catching a fish in a barrel full of fish: admirable for Hanshin, but still a fish... you follow?
It seems like the Tigers are more poised, and they've got a better regular season record, and a kitten could tell you that makes a difference. Just look at their history. Our last bit of data shows a thundering 8-1 win over the Marines, who probably felt like they were under water by the end of it.
I'll spare you the nautical puns, but it's a whole lot of ebb and flow with these two. Still, considering the seasonal records, recent results, and prior face-offs, I'm leaning towards the Hanshin Tigers. They seem to have the knack for staying afloat when in choppy waters, plus they've got the heavier paw—more times than not.
Notably, though, their recent performance has been much like a trapeze artist with vertigo, a point or two on either side. And given the Marines' knack for nipping close at their heels, I'm predicting a tight one.
Albert's Prediction: Hanshin Tigers by 2