Will this be the season the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles make it to the Pacific League Climax Series for the second time in their nine years of existence?

Hardline disciplinarian manager Senichi Hoshino got the team bumped up a notch in 2012, moving from fifth place to fourth and missing the playoff qualification line by just one game.

As always since they joined Japanese baseball in 2005, the Eagles will begin with the disadvantage of playing no home exhibition games because of the colder climate in Tohoku. Rakuten also will be playing night games (weather permitting) in Sendai as early as April 2 and 5. Hopefully there will not be snow on the ground, and no pitchers will ruin their arms throwing in freezing temperatures.