If you don't get to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows early, you might not get to the Birds at all.
A number of things have helped fuel the team's rise from CL cellar-dweller to CL champion this season. Among them has been Yakult's late-inning quartet of closer Tony Barnette and fellow relievers Ryo Akiyoshi, Logan Ondrusek and Orlando Roman, which has proven to be a formidable force out of the bullpen.
"Back in the States, I was part of a really good bullpen for three or four years," said Ondrusek, who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds from 2010-14. "When we were really good, if you gave us the lead after seven innings, nine times out of 10, we were gonna win.