CHIBA — Obviously, it's too early to talk about who will be the Japan Series MVP award.

But after watching the way the Marines sink the Chunichi Dragons in Tuesday's Game 3, maybe it's not too crazy to start arguing.

So far, two of Chiba Lotte's strongest candidates for the accolade are Toshiaki Imae and Ikuhiro Kiyota, who helped the club take a 2-1 lead in the series entering Game 4 on Wednesday.