Saturday, September 21, 2013

Chunichi Up Against the Ropes

The chances of Chunichi keeping their postseason steak going are starting to look slim, but they still have opportunities to fight back into a playoff spot.  With eleven games left Chunichi is chasing Hiroshima by 5.5 games.  Definitely a big hill to climb, but fortunately the Dragons will be playing a weaker opponent this weekend in Yokohama while Hiroshima will facing Yomiuri in Tokyo.  Also, four of Chunichi's final 11 will be against the Carp including a series starting Tuesday at the Nagoya Dome.  So this next six game stretch will be Chunichi's best opportunity to make up ground.  If they aren't within a game or two of Hiroshima by next Friday you can stick a fork in 'em, but I'm holding out hope that the Dragons can make a run.  Momentum isn't currently on Chunichi's side, as they've been playing about .500 ball this month while Hiroshima has gone 11-4 this September.  Still if the Dragons can close the gap and apply some pressure, they are by far a more playoff-hardened group than the Carp who only have a handful of guys who have played in a professional postseason game.  It won't be easy, but it's not over, stay fired up Dragons fans!

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