Lions Magic Number & Climax Series Scenarios (2026)
Pacific League #274-56-4 (W-L-D), PCT .5699.5 GB9 games left(as of September 20)
Pennant
Eliminated
This team has been mathematically eliminated from the pennant race.
Climax Series
Clinched
A Climax Series berth (top three) is clinched.
New to these terms? What is a magic number? / How the Climax Series works
Where the Lions stand: a data-driven read
The commentary below is recalculated and regenerated every day from the standings published on NPB's official site (as of September 20).
The Lions are currently 2nd in the Pacific League at 74-56-4 (W-L-D), a .569 winning percentage, with 9 games left to play. They trail the league-leading Hawks by 9.5 games.
They sit inside the Climax Series zone (top three). The gap to the 4th-place Buffaloes, the first team outside it, is 12.5 games.
Path to the pennant
The Lions have been mathematically eliminated from the pennant race this season, so the goal shifts to reaching the Climax Series: a top-three finish keeps the road to the Japan Series open.
Path to the Climax Series
A top-three finish is locked in, so the Lions have clinched a Climax Series berth. Finishing 2nd or 3rd means starting from the First Stage (best of three); winning the pennant means starting from the Final Stage (six games with a one-win advantage, or seven games with a two-win advantage when the champion finished 10 or more games ahead of the challenger or the challenger finished below .500).
Reading the remaining schedule
9 head-to-head games remain on the Lions' league schedule. The biggest remaining matchup is 4 games against the Marines.
Of those, 2 are against teams currently above them in the standings and 7 against teams below. Games against the teams above are double-value: a win adds one to the Lions' column and pins a loss on a direct rival at the same time.
What-If Simulator
Pencil in results for upcoming games and see how the magic number, Climax Series race, and standings would change. You can simulate games between other teams, too.
Current record: 74-56-4 (W-L-D)
Pennant: Eliminated / Climax Series: Clinched
Lions games
Simulate games between other teams (9 matchups)
Season history
In the daily records since March 27, the Lions have been as high as 1st (as of May 17) and as low as 6th (as of April 3). They currently sit 2nd.
Their deficit to first place peaked at 11 games (as of September 17) and now stands at 9.5 games.
The records show them in 2nd place for 40 straight days.
- Hawks
- Lions
- Fighters
- Buffaloes
- Marines
- Eagles
Show data table
| Team | 3/27 | 3/28 | 3/29 | 3/31 | 4/1 | 4/2 | 4/3 | 4/4 | 4/5 | 4/7 | 4/8 | 4/9 | 4/10 | 4/11 | 4/12 | 4/14 | 4/15 | 4/16 | 4/17 | 4/18 | 4/19 | 4/21 | 4/22 | 4/23 | 4/24 | 4/25 | 4/26 | 4/28 | 4/29 | 4/30 | 5/1 | 5/2 | 5/3 | 5/4 | 5/5 | 5/6 | 5/8 | 5/9 | 5/10 | 5/12 | 5/13 | 5/14 | 5/15 | 5/16 | 5/17 | 5/19 | 5/20 | 5/21 | 5/22 | 5/23 | 5/24 | 5/26 | 5/27 | 5/28 | 5/29 | 5/30 | 5/31 | 6/2 | 6/3 | 6/4 | 6/5 | 6/6 | 6/7 | 6/9 | 6/10 | 6/11 | 6/12 | 6/13 | 6/14 | 6/16 | 6/17 | 6/19 | 6/20 | 6/21 | 6/22 | 6/23 | 6/24 | 6/25 | 6/26 | 6/27 | 6/28 | 6/30 | 7/1 | 7/2 | 7/3 | 7/4 | 7/5 | 7/7 | 7/8 | 7/9 | 7/10 | 7/11 | 7/12 | 7/14 | 7/15 | 7/16 | 7/17 | 7/18 | 7/19 | 7/20 | 7/21 | 7/22 | 7/23 | 7/24 | 7/25 | 7/26 | 7/27 | 7/28 | 7/29 | 7/30 | 7/31 | 8/1 | 8/2 | 8/3 | 8/4 | 8/5 | 8/6 | 8/7 | 8/8 | 8/9 | 8/10 | 8/11 | 8/12 | 8/13 | 8/14 | 8/15 | 8/16 | 8/17 | 8/18 | 8/19 | 8/20 | 8/21 | 8/22 | 8/23 | 8/24 | 8/25 | 8/26 | 8/27 | 8/29 | 8/30 | 8/31 | 9/1 | 9/2 | 9/3 | 9/4 | 9/5 | 9/6 | 9/7 | 9/8 | 9/9 | 9/10 | 9/11 | 9/12 | 9/13 | 9/14 | 9/15 | 9/16 | 9/17 | 9/18 | 9/19 | 9/20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lions | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fighters | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Buffaloes | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Marines | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Eagles | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Show data table
| 3/27 | 3/28 | 3/29 | 3/31 | 4/1 | 4/2 | 4/3 | 4/4 | 4/5 | 4/7 | 4/8 | 4/9 | 4/10 | 4/11 | 4/12 | 4/14 | 4/15 | 4/16 | 4/17 | 4/18 | 4/19 | 4/21 | 4/22 | 4/23 | 4/24 | 4/25 | 4/26 | 4/28 | 4/29 | 4/30 | 5/1 | 5/2 | 5/3 | 5/4 | 5/5 | 5/6 | 5/8 | 5/9 | 5/10 | 5/12 | 5/13 | 5/14 | 5/15 | 5/16 | 5/17 | 5/19 | 5/20 | 5/21 | 5/22 | 5/23 | 5/24 | 5/26 | 5/27 | 5/28 | 5/29 | 5/30 | 5/31 | 6/2 | 6/3 | 6/4 | 6/5 | 6/6 | 6/7 | 6/9 | 6/10 | 6/11 | 6/12 | 6/13 | 6/14 | 6/16 | 6/17 | 6/19 | 6/20 | 6/21 | 6/22 | 6/23 | 6/24 | 6/25 | 6/26 | 6/27 | 6/28 | 6/30 | 7/1 | 7/2 | 7/3 | 7/4 | 7/5 | 7/7 | 7/8 | 7/9 | 7/10 | 7/11 | 7/12 | 7/14 | 7/15 | 7/16 | 7/17 | 7/18 | 7/19 | 7/20 | 7/21 | 7/22 | 7/23 | 7/24 | 7/25 | 7/26 | 7/27 | 7/28 | 7/29 | 7/30 | 7/31 | 8/1 | 8/2 | 8/3 | 8/4 | 8/5 | 8/6 | 8/7 | 8/8 | 8/9 | 8/10 | 8/11 | 8/12 | 8/13 | 8/14 | 8/15 | 8/16 | 8/17 | 8/18 | 8/19 | 8/20 | 8/21 | 8/22 | 8/23 | 8/24 | 8/25 | 8/26 | 8/27 | 8/29 | 8/30 | 8/31 | 9/1 | 9/2 | 9/3 | 9/4 | 9/5 | 9/6 | 9/7 | 9/8 | 9/9 | 9/10 | 9/11 | 9/12 | 9/13 | 9/14 | 9/15 | 9/16 | 9/17 | 9/18 | 9/19 | 9/20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9.5 |
Recorded automatically every day (since March 27).
Head-to-head records & games remaining
Across the 5 intra-league season series, the Lions lead 3, trail 1, and are even in 1.
Their biggest season-series lead is against the Eagles (14-8-1), with 2 head-to-head games still to play.
Their biggest season-series deficit is against the Hawks (11-12-0), with 2 head-to-head games left.
| Opponent | Record (W-L-D) | Margin | Games left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 14-8-1 | +6 | 2 |
| Buffaloes | 12-11-1 | +1 | 1 |
| Marines | 11-10-0 | +1 | 4 |
| Fighters | 12-12-1 | 0 | 0 |
| Hawks | 11-12-0 | -1 | 2 |
| Total (intra-league) | 60-53-3 | +7 | 9 |
Intra-league games only (interleague play is not included). Sorted by season-series margin.
Pacific League standings
| Rank | Team | W-L-D | PCT | GB | Left | Pennant | CS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawks | 84-47-3 | .641 | -- | 9 | Clinched | Clinched |
| 2 | Lions | 74-56-4 | .569 | 9.5 | 9 | Eliminated | Clinched |
| 3 | Fighters | 73-59-3 | .553 | 11.5 | 8 | Eliminated | Clinched |
| 4 | Buffaloes | 63-70-2 | .474 | 22.0 | 8 | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| 5 | Marines | 58-68-3 | .460 | 23.5 | 14 | Eliminated | Eliminated |
| 6 | Eagles | 52-78-1 | .400 | 31.5 | 12 | Eliminated | Eliminated |
---- marks the Climax Series line (top 3)
Other teams
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