The Chiba Lotte Marines are trying to strike it big in an unusual Nippon Professional Baseball season that has endured the coronovirus pandemic, contests being limited to nine innings and a monthlong break for the two-game All-Star series and the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
The Marines have steadily marched past all the pitfalls that have slowed other teams.
They hold a 2-1/2-game lead over the Orix Buffaloes atop the Pacific League standings through Wednesday's action as they try to finish off a surprise drive to the pennant.
The road has been bumpy for all 12 NPB squads, but the Marines are in position to win their first pennant since 2005 under Bobby Valentine.
"I have a good feeling about this team. We have a lot of talent," Lotte infielder Brandon Laird said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. "I feel like we're a younger team [in the league], but we're just clicking right now.
"Everybody's doing their job -- the pitchers are doing well, we're playing good defense and we're just having fun. The atmosphere's just good."
Laird, who won the PL pennant and a Japan Series as a member of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in 2016, said the momentum in picking up.
"When you hear that magic number, it's a good feeling," said Laird, in his seventh year in NPB. "I got that opportunity when I was with the Fighters, and it's our first time being in this position and hopefully we can finish strong."
The Marines have been strong on the offensive side of the ball. They lead the league in runs and are second in homers with 105.
Outfielder Leonys Martin, who recently went down with a broken bone in his foot and is likely out for the rest of the regular season, is third in longballs with 25, while Laird, who joined Lotte as a free agent for the 2019 season, is fourth with 24. He is also second in the PL with 78 RBIs.
The loss of Martin was certainly a blow, but the Marines have been able to keep forging ahead despite the adversity, and Laird expects more of the same.
"Somebody's going to need to step up," he said. "We're just going to be rotating guys out there and be rolling with who's playing well and swinging the bat well."
And the lengthy break over the summer seems to have served Laird well. The 34-year-old, who was initially on the roster for Mexico at the Tokyo Games but wasn't able to work out the details to play, said he was able to recharge with the time off.
"For me to get three weeks off in the middle of the season -- it was the first time, and it was definitely a little weird," Laird admitted.
"But I got to refresh, mentally and physically. And I also got a chance to spend time with my family, so that was nice."
The veteran is now looking for a nice finish to a challenging season.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
