There was the game of Fukuoka Softbank Hawks vs Saitama Seibu Lions at Kyosera Dome, in August 18. Starting pitcher was Nao Higashihama of Hawks and Shinzaburo Tawada of Lions. Hawks was the 1st place of Pacific League until April, but recently they could not get thier engine going. So Hawks lost to Lions on this day that score of 6-3.
In the same day, There was the game of Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters vs Orix Buffaloes at Sapporo Dome. Starting pitcher was Hirotoshi masui of Fighters and Takahiro Matsuba of Buffaloes. Fighters was the 2nd place of Pacific League, and they are 4-game winning streak. Fighters took 6 point on this day, they won in the score of 6-1.
As a result, there was no games back in both team. Because the difference in winning percentage, Hawks was the 1st place barely. Fighters was 11 and a half games behind of Hawks on June 19, but Fighters caught up between two months. During the last 20 years, there were 2 times of the same situation for this year. Let’s introduce these.
The first is the season of 1996. Yomiuri Giants was 11 and a half games behind of Hiroshima Carp on July 6. Carp was the first place at that time, but Giants rised to the top on August 20. After that, Giants got the championship of Central league.
The second is the season of 2008. Giants was 13 games behind of Hanshin Tigers on July 8. Tigers was the first place at that time, but Giants rised to the top on September 21. After that, Giants got the championship of Central league.
FAV.SPORTS predicate that Fighters get the championship of Pacific league in 2016 season. Because there is a common point between this year and 2008 & 1996. These both is a year in which the Olympic Games will be held. But Giants was used up a force in the league on season both, they losed in the Japan Series. So the champion team of Central league will win the Japan Series in this year.
