Yusei Kikuchi is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Seibu Lions Friday night against the Orix Buffaloes as Japanese baseball gets back to intraleague competition this weekend.
Kikuchi (7-2) has been among the best pitchers in Japan this season, and will take the mound after coming within two outs of a no-hitter in his last outing.
The left-hander is one of three pitchers, all Pacific Leaguers, who have found a way to enter late June with sub-2.00 ERAs despite the tide shifting back to hitters somewhat this year.