Most of NPB's teams hit the 60-game mark last week, meaning this coronavirus-shortened season is around its halfway mark.
There should be, however, a little more urgency at the midpoint than in years past. There's still a lot of season left, just not as much as usual.
The 2020 season started three months late because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading NPB to reduce the schedule to 120 games. Additionally, the Central League, factoring in the need for makeup games, won't stage a postseason and will send the pennant winner to the Japan Series. In the Pacific League, the normally three-team Climax Series will feature just two.