Dream11 Fantasy NPB: Tigers at BayStars

Hanshin Tigers (19-21-2) at Yokohama DeNA BayStars (23-19-2)

Monday, August 10th, 5:00 AM EDT

Projected Starters

Yokohama DeNA BayStars: LHP Shota Imanaga (5-2, 2.90 ERA)

Hanshin Tigers: LHP Yuta Iwasada (2-1, 3.41 ERA)

Game Preview

These two teams are firmly alive in the NPB playoff race, although the BayStars (second in the Central League) are in a better position than the Tigers (fourth) ahead of this contest. The recent form also favors Yokohama, as they've gone 4-1 in their last five games while winning two in a row, whereas the Tigers are 2-3 while losing two of their last three contests. The pitching matchup for this contest will feature two lefties, as the BayStars will send Shota Imanaga and the Tigers will counter with Yuta Iwasada. Both pitchers have had good results this season, but Imanaga looks like the stronger choice based on his sub-3.00 ERA, and also because the BayStars have a stronger lineup compared to the Tigers. That should ultimately make things easier for him on the mound.

Injuries

Tyler Austin - Out - Neck

8/5 11:50 PM IST - The BayStars removed Austin from their active roster Wednesday after the 28-year-old sustained a neck injury, Jim Allen of JBallAllen.com reports. Austin picked up the injury July 31, when he collided with the right-field wall at Koshien Stadium while tracking a pop fly. Since then, Austin has been dealing with recurring stiffness in his neck that he's been unable to move past, prompting the BayStars to shut him down. Through his first 22 games in NPB, Austin has slashed .320/.393/.627 with four home runs, nine doubles, a triple and 15 RBI across 84 plate appearances.

Joe Gunkel - Out - Back

7/14 2:41 PM IST - Gunkel was removed from the Tigers' active roster Tuesday after experiencing back tightness during pregame warmups. Gunkel had made one start for the Tigers this season, but he'll have to wait until he's able to pitch again. The severity of the injury is unclear, but the right-hander will be forced to miss at least 10 days as a result of the injury. Gunkel allowed three runs while striking out three over four innings in his first start this year.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars Expected Lineup

1. Takayuki Kajitani

2. Tomo Otosaka

3. Neftali Soto

4. Keita Sano

5. Jose Lopez

6. Toshiro Miyazaki

7. Hikaru Itoh

8. Yamato Maeda

9. Shota Imanaga

Hanshin Tigers Expected Lineup

1. Koji Chikamoto

2. Kento Itohara

3. Yoshio Itoi

4. Yusuke Ohyama

5. Justin Bour

6. Jerry Sands

7. Ryutaro Umeno

8. Seiya Kinami

9. Yuta Iwasada

Top Picks

Keita Sano, BayStars: Sano has been one of the most complete offensive players in the NPB, and he might be the BayStars' best offensive choice here – that's not something to take lightly given the amount of quality bats in the lineup. Sano has seven home runs with 28 RBI this season.

Neftali Soto, BayStars: Soto owns similar numbers to Sano, although with minor differences – Soto has a bit more power (eight homers) but doesn't produce as many runs (25 RBI). Either way, he should be a solid pick in this slate.

Jerry Sands, Tigers: Sands has been one of the Tigers' biggest offensive forces this season, and that's not likely to change ahead of this matchup Monday. He enters this game with seven home runs and a team-leading 24 RBI, as well as slashing .282/.373/.513 in 134 plate appearances.

Takayuki Kajitani, BayStars: Kajitani has been one of the best players in the league this season, and the numbers back him up. He enters this matchup with nine homers and 19 RBI, but he has accomplished that by slashing .287/.364/.494. He hasn't been as dominant as he was earlier this season, but he still merits captaincy consideration.

Captaincy Options

1. Keita Sano
2. Neftali Soto
3. Jerry Sands

Dream11 Team

P – Shota Imanaga

C – Ryutaro Umeno

IF – Keita Sano (C)

IF – Neftali Soto (VC)

IF – Toshiro Miyazaki

OF – Jerry Sands

OF – Takayuki Kajitani

OF – Kazuki Kamizato

OF – Koji Chikamoto