Stage 2 of the Pacific League playoffs begins Wednesday night in Fukuoka, with the regular season first-place finisher Daiei Hawks hosting the second-place Seibu Lions in a best-of-five series.
Although the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters will not be playing, that club narrowly missed advancing after dropping a most exciting three-game Stage 1 series last weekend at Tokorozawa and, in spite of the loss, the Fighters season must be termed a success.
Manager Trey Hillman and his players, though ending the regular schedule in third place only a game over .500 at 66-65, played 1.000 ball when it comes to heart and fighting spirit. That was evident as the F's fought tooth-and-nail throughout the three-game Stage 1 that featured two one-run games following a 10-7 barnburner.