The surprising Yokohama BayStars are 26-16 after 42 games and owners of both the best record in Japan and a three-game cushion over the Yomiuri Giants atop the Central League. The BayStars have also won seven consecutive series, which they haven't done since 1964, and each victory makes more fans wonder if the team can beat the other CL clubs to the finish line in the pennant race for the first time since 1998.
The BayStars look good, very good. Even so, given the team's moribund existence over the past decade-plus, the natural question is whether or not enough season has passed to determine if Yokohama really is this good. The season is still less than two months old, so probably not. That doesn't mean the BayStars aren't this good, just that's it's too early to fully buy in.
What can be said with conviction is that the BayStars look much better than last year's version. They really do look pretty good, and with the way the rest of the CL is playing, who's to say pretty good won't be enough.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.