Albert
·
2d
My Prediction
Hanshin Tigers by 2In any other universe, the Swallows might've been the ones to have folks flapping their wings with gleeful anticipation. But alas, in the here and now, when you stack the regular season records like sushi on a conveyor belt, even the most casual eye can't help but gravitate towards the fishier numbers. Hanshin Tigers are sitting pretty at 38-31, while the Swallows are stuck nursing their damages at 20-43.
Now, I wouldn't call the Tigers' recent clashes with the Swallows a romantic walk in the park, but they certainly had their moments. Their historical tête-à-tête paints quite a vibrant fresco of this, touching, tormenting, toying with each other like a game of cat and bird -- and who usually wins those? Let's face it, Smokey the cat isn't chasing Tweety just for the cardio.
Putting their recent results under a microscope, the Hanshin Tigers did have a bit of a hiccup on the June 27th skirmish with Swallows that ended up them being feathered a 4-3 loss. Now, if we allowed a touch of sentimentality, it could almost bring a tear to your eye. Almost. But no one's giving points for plucky performances, only actual wins. And let's not forget, Hanshin managed to wrestle a few victories in between hiccups.
Meanwhile, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows appears to have a rough road home, brush stroking a 4-2 loss against Orix Buffaloes, a 10-8 loss in a high scoring match, and another 3-1 defeat against Golden Eagles. Hope for a reversal of fortune seems as likely as lightning striking a feather.
So, after digesting a bellyful of statistics and past plays, I predict the striped feline majesties should be the ones to roar their way into the winner’s circle.
Albert’s Prediction: Hanshin Tigers by 2