Until 2004, the term "postseason play" in Japanese baseball simply meant the Japan Series.
The winners of the Central and Pacific League pennants went on to play in the local version of the Fall Classic and, if a team had a double-digit lead in games in the middle of September, the race was all but over and excitement was non-existent until the Japan Series began.
Then the Pa League began postseason playoffs four years ago, with the three top teams qualifying.
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