Pitching is set to take center-stage this weekend as second and third-place teams take the field in the first stage of their respective Climax Series this weekend.
Three of Japan's most talked about pitchers — the Hiroshima Carp's Kenta Maeda, the Orix Buffaloes' Chihiro Kaneko and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters wunderkind Shohei Otani — could all be in action (though a rainout earlier in the week may result in Maeda being pushed back), and a fourth, the Hanshin Tigers' Randy Messenger, should get be getting more attention than he receives.
Lovers of pitching and defense could be in for a treat on Saturday as each member of this Fantastic Four attempts to get the postseason off to a good start and get their team one step closer to a Japan Series title.