This week’s CPBL regular season two-game series between the Rakuten Monkeys and the Chinatrust Brothers concludes this Thursday. We correctly predicted a Monkeys win for Game 1 on Wednesday, but no one expected such a low scoring affair. The Monkeys scraped through with a 3-2 win to extend their early season winning streak to 6-0. While it was a win, the low number of Rakuten RBIs may shake confidence in a victory for this Thursday’s game. Do the Brothers have a legitimate shot at ruining the Monkey’s undefeated status? At the very least it makes betting on this game a lot more interesting. Register to make your wagers and read on for our prediction below.
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Betting Preview for the Rakuten Monkeys vs Chinatrust Brothers CPBL Regular Season Baseball Game on April 23 2020
Where: Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Taiwan
When: Thursday, April 23, 2020 6:35 PM Taiwan (6:35 AM ET USA)
Broadcast: FREE live streaming on Eleven Sports Network
CPBL Betting Odds: View all CPBL betting odds
Betting on the Rakuten Monkeys (6-0 Regular Season Record)
What happened to Rakuten on Wednesday? Sure, they won, but for them scoring just 3 runs is almost like a loss for this squad. Going into Game 1 of the two-game series against Chinatrust the Monkeys averaged 10 RBIs per game, which has now been adjusted to 8.83. In the MLB that’s amazing, but for the Monkeys it may shake some confidence that they can carry on their winning streak amidst a pretty heavy schedule this week in CBPL baseball.
Wednesday’s game was actually tied into the tenth inning, when 1st baseman Chen Chun-Hsiu belted his fourth hit of the game – an RBI double – to break the tie and deliver what turned out to be the game winning run. Chen Chun-Hsiu will need more offensive support from this team this Thursday if the Monkeys want to keep their streak alive. Defensively, Rakuten was strong as expected with pitcher Ryan Carpenter (formerly of the Detroit Tigers) throwing 92 pitches and allowing just five hits over his 6.2 scoreless innings. Reliever Huang Tzu-Peng gave up a hit and one walk to allow Chinatrust to tie the game. But in the end he was saved by Chen Chun-Hsiu’s time behind the bat.
Look for Rakuten to come out bats-blazing this Thursday to let Chinatrust (and the league) know that they intend to extend their 2019 championship crown into 2020.
Betting on the Chinatrust Brothers (2-5 Regular Season Record)
The Chinatrust Brothers almost pulled off a win against Rakuten on Wednesday. They certainly fared better against the Monkeys than they did in last October’s CPBL championship when they fell 20-3. While their hitting crew has limited power, pitching will be the key to potential success against their opponent this Thursday. Brothers’ starter Liao Yi-Chung struck out seven in his seven innings pitched, giving up only the two runs until he was relieved of his duties for the eighth. No word on who will start on the mound for Chinatrust this April 23rd, but with Yi-Chung getting some rest bettors should note that their bullpen isn’t very deep.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rakuten Monkeys put on a stronger offensive effort to extend their season’s winning streak to seven, beating the Brothers 10-2.
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