This playoff opener is shaped by two starters who have repeatedly contained the opposing lineup. Yomiuri can build a narrow lead around Inoue's command and its late relief pair, while DeNA's strongest attack links a runner at the top of the order to its middle bats. The first pitching change should matter as much as the opening duel.
Inoue held DeNA scoreless through six innings in their last meeting, and his broader record against these hitters gives the Giants a foundation. Higashi has also handled Yomiuri well, so the home attack needs a runner ahead of Oshiro, Maru or Dalbec rather than a stream of isolated hits. Matsumoto's return to full practice offers another way to start that chain.
The last meeting turned when DeNA reached the first Giants reliever: Watarai singled, Maki doubled and Sano's pinch hit tied it. Yomiuri's route is to carry Inoue's work through that handoff and reach Tanaka Eito and Martinez with the lead. Both bullpens have had several days since their last league games, making the choice of the first relief arm a central part of this matchup.
That's why I'm siding with the Yomiuri Giants to win. Their starter has already kept this lineup quiet for substantial stretches, and their established late pair gives a narrow lead a clear path to the finish.
