Hiroshima Toyo Carp vs. Hanshin Tigers

Quick read:

I’m backing Hiroshima to stay within a run and a half of Hanshin, because the spread gives them a comfy cushion and the Tigers haven’t shown the firepower to blow it open.

Even without a stat sheet, you can picture the Tigers’ offense as a sputtering engine, while the Carp’s lineup has the grit to grind out a few runs at home.

The only wrinkle is if Hanshin’s starter decides to throw a masterpiece; still, at +1.5 the Carp have enough room to survive a late surge.