In Japan's Pacific League, although the three playoff teams are set, there is a taut battle for first. The first place team plays just one round of playoffs and gets a one game handicap.
Here are the top three teams and their records
Pacific League
W
L
T
GB
PCT
Fighters
80
52
0
.606
Lions
78
51
2
.605
.5
Hawks
75
51
5
.595
2
Games remaining:
Fighters: at Lotte (61-69-1) on 9/23-24, vs. Hawks on 9/26-27
Lions: at Rakuten (43-82-4) on 9/22-24, vs. Lotte on 9/26-27
Hawks: at Orix (49-80-3) on 9/23-24, at Fighters on 9/26-27, plus one game at Rakuten that hasn't been rescheduled I believe.
The last game will be played regardless of its playoff implications however.
If you're figuring out the winning percentages, don't count the ties as half a win and half a loss. All they do is just lower the denominator. The ties are not replayed. All three teams can finish first I believe.
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