Orix Buffaloes win their 13th Pacific League pennant, first time since 1996

The Orix Buffaloes captured their 13th Pacific League Pennant and their first time since 1996 (when Suzuki Ichiro was on the team and the team was known as the Orix Blue Wave). Note: In 2004, the Orix BlueWave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes merged to become the Orix Buffaloes.

Year after year, the Orix Buffaloes have faced major challenges, often not making the playoffs and last year, was last place in the Pacific League.

But this year was different as the Orix Buffaloes had a new coach under Nakajima Satoshi and became dominant in the Pacific League, until they started losing and the Lotte Marines would eventually take the #1 position for short while. But with the Lotte Marines losing against the Rakuten Eagles 2-1, Orix would

So, now the Pacific League Climax Series look like this:

The First Stage of the Climax Series for the Pacific League will feature #3 team Rakuten Eagles (66-62) vs. the Chiba Lotte Marines (67-57) in a best out of three match.

Whoever wins the first stage, will take on the Orix Buffaloes (70-55) in a best out of seven Pacific League Final Stage. Whoever wins the Final Stage will represent the Pacific League in the Japan Series vs. the winner of the Central League.

The Central League Climax Series looks like this:

The First Stage of the Climax Series for the Central League will feature #3 team Yomiuri Giants (61-62) vs. the Hanshin Tigers (77-56) in a best out of three match.

Whoever wins the first stage for the Central League, will take on the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (73-52) in a best out of seven Central League Final Stage. Whoever wins the Final Stage will represent the Central League in the Japan Series vs. the winner of the Pacific League.

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