The Chiba Lotte Marines might be about to learn a lot about themselves. Namely, the Pacific League club is about to find out just how prepared they are for the battles ahead in the race for the final spot in the Pacific League Climax Series.
The Marines are in the driver's seat at the moment. Lotte is 51-50-1 and in third place in the PL, making them the current owners, or perhaps renters, of the final spot in the PL postseason. Above them are the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, seven games clear in second place.
The more pressing matter for the Marines is from behind,as they look over their shoulders at the Seibu Lions, 3½ games back in fourth place.