The Orix Buffaloes and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows will compete in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Japan Series. Both clubs won their respective league titles after finishing last in 2019 and 2020.
The Swallows defeated the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, taking full advantage of the best seeding, which gave them a one-game advantage in the seven-game Central League Climax Series final. The Swallows shut out the Giants in the first two games, 4-0 and 5-0, and clinched thanks to a 2-2 tie in game three.
The Buffaloes thrived on the same advantage in the Pacific League Climax Series final against the Chiba Lotte Marines. They won the first two games, 1-0 and 2-0, and clinched after the third game finished in a 3-3 tie.
The 2021 Japan Series open on Saturday, 20 November, at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. After game two, the seven-game series moves to the Tokyo Dome. Game four is scheduled for Wednesday, 23 November. The Buffaloes will host potential games six and seven at the Hotto Motto Field in the Kobe Sports Park on 27 and 28 November.
The 2021 edition of the Japan Series marks the end the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' run as league champions. The Hawks had a streak of four consecutive Japan Series titles, while winning six in the last seven league titles -- and won seven of the last ten editions. Pacific League teams have won 10 of the last 11 NPB league titles.
