NAGOYA — The Chunichi Dragons and the Yomiuri Giants open the final stage of the Central League Climax Series on Wednesday for a spot in the Japan Series against the Chiba Lotte Marines.
In their fourth final-stage encounter in as many years, the CL champion Dragons will try to continue the home-field dominance they enjoyed in the regular season.
The Dragons had a 53-18 record to go with a tie for a .746 winning percentage in the pitcher-friendly confines of Nagoya Dome. They won 10 of 12 home games against the third-place Giants, enjoying three-game sweeps in July, August and September.