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Buffaloes and Swallows go from worst to first to set up improbable, intriguing Japan Series

The Buffaloes punched their ticket to the Japan Series by defeating the Marines in the second stage of the PL Climax Series. | KYODO

By Jason Coskrey
STAFF WRITER

Nov 13, 2021

The 2021 Japan Series will be the setting of the ultimate rags-to-riches story.

The Orix Buffaloes and Tokyo Swallows were dead last in the Pacific and Central Leagues, respectively, in both 2019 and 2020 and not even close to contending for anything.

Then both clubs suddenly bounced back to win their respective league title this year and on Friday secured series-clinching ties — the Buffaloes earned a 3-3 result against the Chiba Lotte Marines on a walk-off hit and the Swallows finished 2-2 against the Yomiuri Giants — in the final stage of the Climax Series and will now meet for the title.

Buffaloes and Swallows go from worst to first to set up improbable, intriguing Japan Series

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