The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, based in northern Japan, and coached by Senichi Hoshino, were particularly affected by the quake, as the Miyagi Baseball Stadium was badly damaged.
[citation needed] Because of energy concerns following the earthquake, NPB also imposed restrictions on games during the regular season.
Note: All of the games that are played in the first two rounds of the Climax Series are held at the higher seed's home stadium.
The regular season league champions, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (PL) and the Chunichi Dragons (CL), received byes to the championship round.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2) vs. Yomiuri Giants (1) Saitama Seibu Lions (2) vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (0) The regular season league champions, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (PL) and the Chunichi Dragons (CL), received a one-game advantage.