If the past 10 games are a key measuring stick for playoff-bound teams' chances in the postseason — and those still in the hunt to secure the East's seventh and eighth spots (Shinshu and Fukushima are both 19-31 and Gunma is 18-32 entering the final weekend) — keep an eye on these five teams: Niigata, Sendai, Kyoto, Ryukyu and Shiga.
The Albirex and 89ers have both won nine of their past 10 contests, the latter is riding a nine-game streak. The Hannaryz, Golden Kings and Lakestars all have 8-2 marks in that same span.
Five squads, meanwhile, are 7-3 in that stretch: the expansion Firebonds, Toyama, Akita, Iwate and Hamamatsu.