The 2019 NPB Regular season concluded with meaningful games until the final one took place. With some drama and other games in the last week, there was an exciting finish in both leagues even though the pennant in the Central was already decided.
Here are the final Power Rankings for 2019:
1. [^] (2) Saitama Seibu Lions (80-62-1, 14-7 since 9/1)
The Lions take a stunning run to end the 2019 season with a combined 31-17 in the last two months of the year to repeat as Pacific League Pennant champions. There is a long way to go to establish themselves as the best, but not having a first place standing until September 11 and hanging in there all season long is a real testament to how this squad pulled it off. Very few experts gave the Lions a chance at coming in first again given who they lost.
Biggest key in September was how the pitching peaked at the right time, as they didn't slug their way to wins. The Lions were also undefeated in games that Zach Neal started (13-0). Only thing stopping this team is the postseason, something they haven't excelled at in 11 years.
===
2. [^] (3) Fukuoka Softbank Hawks (76-62-5, 12-9 since 9/1)
The Hawks had some ups and downs to prevent a pennant, but this group still competed with several farm players and will still be a threat in the postseason because they've shown they can get it done. Second base is the big hole in this team with Taisei Makihara while the rotation was dependent on Kodai Senga and Rei Takahashi, but this group could awaken come Climax Series time.
===
3. [v] (1) Yomiuri Giants (77-64-2, 9-13 since 9/1)
The Giants didn't need to anything after August and took their first pennant since 2014. Shun Yamaguchi carried the staff while Yoshihiro Maru lived up to the hype. We also say a big farewell to Shinnosuke Abe, who announced retirement this month while still being a solid part-time player. On paper, this could be a cake walk to the Japan Series, but there's a reason they play the games.
===
4. [^] (7) Rakuten Eagles (71-68-4, 11-10 since 9/1)
The Eagles had to fight their way to get in, but their gutsy outings led to their first A-class appearance since 2017. By splitting four combined games against the Lions and later beating the Softbank Hawks in come from behind fashion, they've shown they can't be written off. Their first half wins helped them get here. Starting pitching is there with Minabu Mima, Takahiro Norimoto and Takayuki Kishi all being healthy. Offense is inconsistent and slightly home run dependent, but who's counting?
===
5. [^] (9) Hanshin Tigers (69-68-6, 13-8 since 9/1)
The Hanshin Tigers went on a six game win streak to earn the last postseason spot and finish in A-class for their first appearance since 2017. It wasn't easy, but it's clear to say every game counted from April to October. With a 16-8-1 record against the Baystars, this team could make a 2014 run if they can play the way they have in the last week of the season. Pitching was lights out to end the year and that always keeps them as a threat.
===
6. [v] (4) Yokohama DeNA Baystars (71-69-3, 7-12 since 9/1)
The Baystars were backed in to A-class and didn't need to win much after having a hot middle of the year. Their largest salt in the wounds was watching the Giants celebrate the pennant in their own house when Yasuaki Yamasaki blew a save. The injury bug hit this team to prevent a possible pennant race, but it's clear the Alex Ramirez-led Baystars can still do damage with their pitching staff and streaky hitting. This will be the first time the Baystars host a Climax Series of any kind in their history.
===
7. [^] (10) Chunichi Dragons (68-73-2, 14-9 since 9/1)
This Dragons team can only look back at the games their bullpen blew in the first half behind Hiroshi Suzuki and others. For a team that was close to the postseason, they were still so far and inconsistent to get there. Their biggest consolation? Controlling the last spot in A-class with games against the Hanshin Tigers and Hiroshima Carp. Yudai Ono had a resurgence year while also throwing a no-hitter and winning the Central League ERA title. Shuhei Takahashi established himself as a core player while the bullpen got better with time, but it was too late. The Dragons hold the longest A-class drought (2012) and they're not far off with a weakened Central League, but they need to put everything together for a full season in order to get in. Tsuyoshi Yoda has his work cut out for him.
===
T8. [v] (6) Hiroshima Carp (70-70-3, 8-10 since 9/1)
The inconsistent Carp ended the season on a thud, being swept by the Chunichi Dragons in their last two games of the year. This team isn't far off from A-class, but a few players having a down year like Kosuke Tanaka didn't help. Now they will be seeking a new manager with Koichi Ogata stepping away. Should be interesting to see what happens in the offseason.
===
T8. [v] (7) Chiba Lotte Marines (69-70-4, 10-9-1 since 9/1)
The Marines finally got over .500 at one point in the year, but couldn't make that run to A-class with some backbreaking losses. Their outfield blunders dropped them to being below .500 and with the lack of defensive plays, they came up short for the second straight year under Tadahito Iguchi. If anyone is looking for positives, it's Ayumu Ishikawa's second half where he was lights out. Even with the improved offense, the pitching and defense wasn't there for the full season which cost them the season and a Lions pennant party in their last game.
===
10. [^] (12) Hokkiado Nippon-Ham Fighters (65-73-5, 9-11 since 9/1)
The Fighters were close to a pennant, being 1/2 a game behind the Hawks at the end of July, but a horrible August took them out of A-class altogether and the team can only look back at how their cold stretch killed them. Offense was the biggest issue in this span where Sho Nakata and others were not producing. With manager Hideki Kuriyama resigning, they'll be looking for a new skipper as well. The pieces are there, but one bad month cost them their season. At least Kohei Arihara established himself as one of the league's better pitchers.
===
11. [v] (5) Orix Buffaloes (61-75-7, 6-16-2 since 9/1)
The Orix Buffaloes having a run in Interleague and August gave a slow death to their season after a dismal end to the year. Masataka Yoshida was great while the starting pitching was good even without Yuki Nishi and Chihiro Kaneko, but the offense was a black hole minus a few individuals. This group also lacks attention to detail when fielding and it's something Norifumi Nishimura will need to fix if they want to make A-class in 2020. A silver lining in all of this was taking the Marines out with them having a 15-9-1 record against them.
===
12. [v] (11) Tokyo Yakult Swallows (59-82-2, 10-9 since 9/1)
The Swallows were the only team to have a losing record against all 11 other NPB teams while finishing in dead last. While they had a winning month to end the year, this team was buried since May and could never recover. Junji Ogawa stepped down and farm manager Shingo Takatsu will be the new skipper in charge. Everything from defense, pitching and offense went wrong, leading this group earning a last place finish in our rankings. Can't get any worse right?
===
Follow us on Twitter @GraveyardBall
No comments:
Post a Comment