The following is first of a two-part preview for the upcoming Nippon Professional Baseball season. Team-by-team previews of the six Pacific League clubs are listed in order of predicted finish.
Manager: Hisanobu Watanabe
Last season: 70-70-4 (Fourth)
The last time the Lions finished outside the top three they bounced back by winning the Japan Series the next year. Manager Hisanobu Watanabe's squad will be looking for a repeat performance this season.