The Softbank Hawks, which lost its Pacific League title to the Orix Buffaloes for the third consecutive year, are running in an unrivaled pace this year without any competitors. At the halfway point of 143 games during the regular season, the team has a winning rate of more than 70 percent and is leading the second place by a whopping 12.5 games. If this continues, it can enter the magic number count even before the All Star games are held.안전놀이터

Softbank defeated the Seibu Lions 3-2 in the "2024 Japanese Professional Baseball Pacific League" held at Tokyo Dome in Japan on Sunday, continuing its four-game winning streak. After sweeping all three consecutive games against the Nippon-Ham Fighters, Softbank even secured the first of three consecutive games against the Seibu Lions.

With its four consecutive wins, Softbank posted a winning percentage of 0.710 with 49 wins, three draws and 20 losses in 72 games this season. Chiba Lotte Marines, ranking second with a winning percentage of 0.530 and 12.5 games behind Softbank with 35 wins, six draws and 31 losses in 72 games. There are more than 70 games to go, but Softbank's No. 1 ranking in the Pacific League seems to be a given.

Softbank was the strongest team in Japanese pro baseball in the 2010s. During the 11 seasons from 2010 to 2020, it topped the Pacific League six times and won the Japanese Series seven times. However, after winning the title in 2020, Softbank has handed over the top spot to Orix for the past three years. It ranked fourth in 2021, second in 2022, and third in 2023, failing to secure even the No. 2 position. The heyday of Softbank seemed to be coming to an end like this.

This year, he is making strides under the leadership of Hiroki Kokubo, a former coach of the Korean national team. It is truly a historic season. "The magic number count for No. 1 in the Pacific League is just around the corner," Nishinippon Sports reported on Sunday. It is not even the time when the first half of the season ended, but it has only turned a turning point, and it seems that he is certain to be No. 1.

Nishinippon Sports believes that Softbank's strength comes from Star Power. Softbank ranks first in 10 of the 12 official personal titles of the NPB. "It is too early to predict, but if a team wins all individual titles, it will be the first time not only in the Pacific League but also in the Central League," the media said.

Softbank players dominated all six batting categories. Kondo Kenska ranks first with 0.352 in batting average. Kondo and Hotaka Yamakawa rank first with 13 homers. Yamakawa ranks first with 50 RBIs. Kondo has 88 hits and an on-base percentage (0.456). Ukyo is leading the league with 24 stolen bases.

In the six pitching categories, Softbank player ranks first in four categories, and second in the other two categories. In terms of ERA, Livan Moinero ranks first with 1.43 and Kohei Arihara ranks first with eight wins. Roberto Osuna ranks first with 20 saves and Yuki Matsumoto ranks first with 25 holdspoint. Moinero is second in strikeouts and Arihara is second in winning percentage.