Dream11 Fantasy NPB: Swallows at BayStars

Yokohama DeNA BayStars (12-15) vs Tokyo Yakult Swallows (14-10-2)

Wednesday, July 22nd, 5:00 AM EDT

Projected starters

LHP Haruhiro Hamaguchi (1-1, 2.22 ERA) vs RHP Gabriel Ynoa (0-1, 7.88 ERA)

Game Preview

The BayStars are in a tight race to earn the third place of the Central League standings, as it seems the first two spots will be occupied by both the Yomiuri Giants and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, their opponents in this matchup. The Swallows are three games behind the Giants, but they also hold a 1.5-game lead over the third-placed Hanshin Tigers, so they are in a good position. The pitching matchup here might lean towards Yokohama, however, despite what the overall records indicate. The BayStars will send Haruhiro Yamaguchi to the mound, and he owns a strong 2.22 ERA so far. Former MLBer Gabriel Ynoa will take the ball for the Swallows, but the has struggled to the tune of a 7.88 ERA so far in 2020.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars Expected Lineup:

RF - Takayuki Kajitani

CF - Tomo Otosaka

2B - Neftali Soto

LF - Keita Sano

1B - Jose Lopez

3B - Toshiro Miyazaki

C - Hikaru Itoh

SS - Yamato Maeda

P - Haruhiro Hamaguchi

Tokyo Yakult Swallows Expected Lineup:

1B - Tomotaka Sakaguchi

2B - Tetsuto Yamada

LF - Norichika Aoki

3B - Munetaka Murakami

CF - Kotaro Yamasaki

RF - Yuhei Takai

SS - Alcides Escobar

C - Motohiro Shima

P - Gabriel Ynoa

Top picks:

Munetaka Murakami, Swallows: Murakami is hitting a robust .379 with a .469 on-base percentage, and he couples that with three home runs and 29 RBI. As if that wasn't enough, he has hit safely in all but one of his last 12 games, posting a .383 average with 14 RBI during that stretch.

Takayuki Kajitani, BayStars: Kajitani has been the most reliable presence in the BayStars lineup this season, and that's not likely to change in this matchup, either. The outfielder, who went 3-for-5 Tuesday, has five home runs while hitting for .327 this season. He is hitting for .322 in 71 plate appearances this month.

Tomotaka Sakaguchi, Swallows: Sakaguchi ranks as the most productive outfielder in this Dream11 slate, and he has been extremely consistent. His average of .287 doesn't really stand out, but he makes up for it with a stellar .422 on-base percentage,

Alcides Escobar, Swallows: The veteran infielder is one of the most long-tenured MLB players in the NPB this season, and his hitting certainly shows his big-league experience. The veteran is hitting for .321 with one home run and 14 RBI this season.

Captaincy Options:

1. Munetaka Murakami
2. Takayuki Kajitani
3. Tomotaka Sakaguchi

Dream11 Team

P – Gabriel Ynoa

C – Hikaru Itoh

IF – Munetaka Murakami (C)

IF – Alcides Escobar

IF – Naomichi Nishiura

IF – Daisuke Nakai

OF – Takayuki Kajitani (VC)

OF – Tomotaka Sakaguchi

OF – Norichika Aoki