Match Overview

The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles host the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on April 26, 2025, at 14:00 KST at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi. This Pacific League clash features two teams moving in opposite directions. Rakuten is coming off a strong run, winning 4 of their last 5 games, while SoftBank has struggled, managing only 1 win in their last 5. Rakuten holds a better season record at 9-10 compared to SoftBank’s 7-11, and their recent head-to-head performances show Rakuten winning the last three matchups. This gives the Eagles a clear psychological and performance edge heading into this game.

Team Key Players

For Rakuten, Maikel Franco and Asamura Hideto lead the offensive lineup, with consistent batting averages and strong RBI totals. Tatsumi Ryosuke provides speed in the outfield and base running, while Koja Tatsuki is expected to start on the mound, bringing a solid ERA of 2.45.

On SoftBank’s side, Yanagita Yuki remains a key veteran presence, batting .286 with 10 RBIs and 2 home runs this season. Matsumoto Haru, likely the starting pitcher, is having a breakout season with a 2.01 ERA and 2 wins under his belt. However, SoftBank’s bullpen has shown vulnerability, especially with elevated ERA values from backup pitchers.

Match Prediction

Prediction: Over 7.5 total runs
Justification: With Rakuten’s strong offensive form and SoftBank’s inconsistent pitching beyond their starter, this game is likely to see several scoring opportunities. Both teams have shown an ability to produce runs, and previous matchups between them this season have averaged over 8 runs per game.