The Yokohama DeNA Baystars will take on the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in the 2017 Japan Series. Here is our breakdown of what's to come ahead:
Yokohama DeNA Baystars
The Baystars climbed the mountain in taking the first stage of the Climax Series against the Hanshin Tigers in three games, while also winning four out of five games played against the Hiroshima Carp.
Surprisingly it was their starting pitching and bullpen that came through when they needed it most, which started of with Joe Wieland winning the crucial Game 3 vs the Tigers. Game 4 was a difference maker when Shota Imanaga came out in relief for two innings and the Baystars shut the door on a favored Carp team.
The Carp weren't at full strength with no Seiya Suzuki, Brad Eldred and Tomohiro Abe, but they also didn't have a proven ace. There were plenty of young pitchers who were overwhelmed against the Baystars bats. In the final game, the home runs kept coming and the Baystars obliterated Hiroshima 9-3.
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Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
The Softbank Hawks won the Pacific League again after some early struggles against the Eagles. It was Seiichi Uchikawa who hit a home run in each of the first four games. Uchikawa is the biggest subplot of this whole series as he was a former Baystars player who left to find success in Fukuoka, after being tired of losing. The Hawks also got a boost in the final game when Yuki Yanagita returned for the first time in a month, as he was the 2015 Pacific League MVP and could win it again in 2017.
It wasn't all about Nobuhiro Matsuda or Alfredo Despaigne, but Akira Nakamura with the timely hits to put the Hawks in the third Japan Series in four years and fifth in seven years.
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Outlook:
This is the Baystars third Japan Series in franchise history and first since 1998. They won as Taiyo Whale in 1961. The Baystars have also not lost a Japan Series coming into 2017.
The Hawks are aiming to set a dynasty with their third Japan series in four years, which would have an undisputed title. Last time they were in this stage was 2015, where they beat the Yakult Swallows in five games.
Yokohama is your ultimate Cinderella story, having not made the postseason in the Climax Series era prior to 2016. They've built a good foundation since 2013 up to this point and the fruition has finally come. For the Hawks, it's Japan's new Empire having the highest payroll in NPB and an organization that is well-run from top to bottom aiming for another title, which could be the 4th in the Softbank Era.
Reminder that the Japan Series begins on October 28.
Christian: If the Baystars want to pull this upset, they need to hit home runs. Both parks involved make this possible, but can they do it against the Hawks pitching for a seven game series? I like the Hawks pitching to overpower the Baystars where Yokohama only has a one game stand. The Pacific League is still stronger from top to bottom and don't see it changing. My heart says the Baystars, but as a betting man, the Hawks are too great to pass up. Hawks in 5
Wes pick could come later. For those on Twitter please @ him @WhirlWideWes
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