2025 Professional Baseball Series Comprehensive Summary (Japan・USA・South Korea・Taiwan)
Dec 09,2025 Update
In 2025, top teams from Asia to America engaged in fierce battles for championship glory in professional baseball leagues across various countries. Japan's "Japan Series," America's "MLB World Series," South Korea's "KBO Korea Series," and Taiwan's "Taiwan Series" represent the grandest stages in their respective nations, where drama and emotion are born every year in these special championship battles.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the four major tournaments held in 2025, covering series overviews, characteristics of winning teams and their rivals, key factors that determined victory and defeat, and the outstanding performances of MVP players.
Table of Contents
1. 2025 Asia-America Major Professional Baseball "Series" Overview
2. [Japan] 2025 Japan Series
2-1. What is the Japan Series?
2-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
2-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
2-4. MVP player
3. [America] 2025 MLB World Series
3-1. What is the MLB World Series?
3-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
3-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
3-4. MVP player
4. [South Korea] 2025 KBO Korea Series
4-1. What is the Korea Series?
4-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
4-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
4-4. MVP player
5. [Taiwan] 2025 Taiwan Series
5-1. What is the Taiwan Series?
5-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
5-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
5-4. MVP player
Summary
1. 2025 Asia-America Major Professional Baseball "Series" Overview
Baseball is a sport beloved worldwide, with Japan serving as the major professional baseball stage in Asia and America in the Americas. In Japan, there exists Nippon Professional Baseball (abbreviated as NPB), the country's premier professional baseball league, where 12 teams are divided into two leagues - the Central League (Ce League) and Pacific League (Pa League) - competing throughout the year.
A distinctive feature of NPB is that the Ce League does not adopt the designated hitter system while the Pa League does, showing rule-based characteristics different from American leagues. In NPB, the "Climax Series" and subsequent "Japan Series" serve as key tournaments, representing important elements for understanding the season's championship structure.
This article introduces the major professional baseball "Series" held in 2025 across Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries, as well as America.
2. [Japan] 2025 Japan Series
The "Japan Series," which determines the pinnacle of Japanese professional baseball, is the year's grandest stage where the champions of the Ce League and Pa League clash. Here, we look back at the 2025 Japan Series, covering the characteristics of participating teams, key points that influenced victory and defeat, and the glorious MVP player.
2-1. What is the Japan Series?
The Japan Series (SMBC Japan Series) is the final championship battle that determines the annual champion of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). The winning teams from the Ce League and Pa League face off, with the first team to win 4 games claiming the title of "Japan's Number One." Games are played in a maximum of 7 contests, typically held from late October to early November. The venue alternates between both teams' home stadiums using a home-and-away format.
To reach this stage, each team must battle through approximately 143 regular season games and then advance through the "Climax Series" involving the top 3 teams from each league. This represents the pinnacle battle of Japanese baseball, where efforts accumulated throughout the long season and team strength are put to the test.
After the series concludes, the "Most Valuable Player Award (MVP)" is awarded to the player who performed most outstandingly. Other awards include the "Outstanding Player Award" for players who supported their teams and the "Fighting Spirit Award" for players who fought valiantly even on the losing team. For professional baseball fans, the Japan Series is an emotional stage that concludes the year, a special series where many dramas unfold beyond victory and defeat.
2-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
The 2025 SMBC Japan Series featured an intense battle between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Hanshin Tigers. The result saw SoftBank triumph 4 games to 1, achieving their first Japan's Number One title in 5 years and their 12th overall (8th as SoftBank). They celebrated their 20th anniversary as a franchise by demonstrating their strength.
Initially, Hanshin showed momentum by winning Game 1 with a 2-1 victory, but from Game 2 onward, SoftBank took control with overwhelming offensive power and a stable pitching staff. In Game 2, they scored 10 runs in one burst, and from Game 3 onward, they persistently won close contests. The pitching staff, including Naoyuki Uwasawa, Livan Moinelo, and Ryosuke Ohtsu, delivered excellent performances, with the relief corps showing remarkable stability.
Hanshin also fought well with Shoki Murakami and Hiroto Saiki leading their pitching staff, but they couldn't deliver the crucial hit when needed, falling just short. While their defensive tenacity and team unity were admirable, SoftBank's experience and underlying strength secured the victory. This series marked the complete revival of the "strong Hawks" that Fukuoka fans had been waiting for.
2-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
The background to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks reclaiming the throne in the 2025 Japan Series lay in their comprehensive strength that combined depth of talent with strategic flexibility. The primary factor behind winning 4 consecutive games after losing the opening game was "organizational consistency" and "on-field decision-making ability."
First, attention was drawn to the stability of the starting pitching staff. The three pillars of Kohei Arihara, Livan Moinelo, and Naoyuki Uwasawa delivered tenacious pitching performances, controlling the flow of games. Furthermore, the reorganized bullpen centered on Yuki Matsumoto and Kazuki Sugiyama overcame late-inning scoring threats, closing out the tight contests in Games 3-5.
Offensively, Hotaka Yamakawa's home runs in three consecutive games provided momentum, while core players like Yuki Yanagita and Isami Nomura delivered results in crucial moments. In Game 5, Yanagita's game-tying 2-run homer led to Nomura's walk-off blast in extra innings, showcasing the fusion of experience and youth.
Additionally, manager Hiroki Kokubo's quick decision-making and flexible game management were factors that determined victory and defeat. Decisions like bringing in pinch-hitter Kensuke Kondo in Game 4 demonstrated sharp judgment that read the "flow" while being data-driven. While Hanshin also fought well, the difference in crucial hits and pitches decided the outcome.
2-4. MVP player
Professional baseball features multiple awards recognizing outstanding performance, including Monthly MVP, Annual MVP, and Japan Series MVP. Among these, the Japan Series MVP, which concludes the season, is a special honor bestowed upon the most brilliant player. In the 2025 Japan Series, Hotaka Yamakawa of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks received the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP).
Yamakawa hit home runs in three consecutive games starting from Game 2, tying the series record, and posted spectacular numbers across all 5 games with a .385 batting average (5 hits in 13 at-bats), 3 home runs, and 7 RBIs. He was truly the driving force who energized the team with his power hitting and led them to their first Japan's Number One title in 5 years.
3. [America] 2025 MLB World Series
The "World Series," which determines the annual champion of America's Major League Baseball (MLB), is a major event watched by baseball fans worldwide. Here, we provide detailed coverage of the 2025 World Series, including the tournament structure, characteristics of the winning team and opponent, turning points in victory and defeat, and the outstanding performance of the MVP player.
3-1. What is the MLB World Series?
MLB (Major League Baseball) is the world's premier professional baseball league, consisting of 30 teams total - 29 in America and 1 in Canada. The league is divided into the "American League (AL)" and "National League (NL)," with teams in each league's East, Central, and West divisions playing 162 regular season games.
After the season ends, the top 6 teams from each league (12 teams total) advance to the postseason (playoffs). Teams that survive the Wild Card Series, Division Series, and League Championship become league champions. The final clash between the AL champion and NL champion is the "World Series."
Played in a best-of-seven format, the 2025 series opened on October 24 and concluded with Game 7 on November 1 (November 2 Japan time), determining the winning team. This represents the ultimate showdown of MLB, captivating fans from around the world.
3-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
The 2025 World Series featured a matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, with the Dodgers claiming victory through a dramatic 11-inning win. The Dodgers won Game 7 by a score of 5-4, achieving back-to-back championships. The Blue Jays aimed for their first title in 32 years but fell just short.
The Dodgers embodied "comeback ability" and "concentration," setting historical records including a game-tying home run in the 9th inning and victories on the road. The Blue Jays, energized by rookie performances and other momentum, approached the series with vigor but lost due to narrow bullpen management mistakes and the difference of a single hit.
3-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
Game 7 of the 2025 World Series became an 11-inning thriller between the Dodgers and Blue Jays. Ultimately, the Dodgers won 5-4, claiming their second consecutive world championship.
The turning point came in the bottom of the 9th inning with one out and bases loaded for the Blue Jays. Brusdar Graterol's sharp line drive was caught by Enrique Hernandez of the Dodgers with a diving catch, who then threw home to get Cavan Biggio out at the plate. This play changed the momentum of the game and led to the comeback victory in extra innings.
Furthermore, the Dodgers' pitching changes proved successful, with their staff calmly working through pressure situations. The difference in the game came down to split-second decision-making, defensive precision, and team strength that maintained concentration until the final moments.
3-4. MVP player
In the 2025 World Series, Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers magnificently won the MVP award. Yamamoto threw a complete game victory in Game 2, allowing just 1 run over 9 innings, and earned another win in Game 6 with 1 run allowed over 6 innings. In the decisive Game 7 on zero days' rest, he pitched from the 9th through the 11th innings to become the winning pitcher. His overwhelming series statistics of 3 wins and a 1.02 ERA demonstrated his presence as a pitcher. His stamina and mental strength in short series play became the decisive factor in leading the team to their second consecutive world championship.
Meanwhile, in 2024, Freddie Freeman, also of the Dodgers, won the World Series MVP. Freeman led the offense with spectacular numbers including a .300 batting average, 4 home runs, and 12 RBIs. The fact that MVP winners emerged from the Dodgers in consecutive years symbolizes the team's overall completeness and depth.
4. [South Korea] 2025 KBO Korea Series
The "Korea Series," which determines the pinnacle of Korean professional baseball (KBO), attracts significant attention every year as the nation's premier stage. The 2025 season also concluded with intense battles determining the champion. Here, we provide detailed coverage from the series overview to the characteristics of the winning team and opponent, key factors that determined victory and defeat, and the MVP player.
4-1. What is the Korea Series?
The "Korea Series" in Korean professional baseball (KBO) is the final championship battle that determines the season champion, equivalent to Japan's "Japan Series" or America's "World Series." This series, which concludes the KBO League's postseason, features a clash between the first-place team from the regular season and the team that advanced through the playoffs. Played in a best-of-seven format, the winning team claims the crown as that year's "KBO Champion."
Baseball enjoys tremendous popularity in South Korea, and the Korea Series generates significant excitement as a national event through television broadcasts and attendance. The 2025 Korea Series opened on October 26, with the final Game 7 held on November 3. The final matchup featured the LG Twins, who continued their strong performance following 2023 and 2024, against the resurgent Hanwha Eagles. This battle between proven strength and rising momentum attracted attention from both domestic and international audiences.
4-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
The LG Twins of Korean professional baseball won the 2025 Korea Series, claiming their second championship in three years and fourth overall. LG defeated the Hanwha Eagles 4-1 in Game 5 held in Daejeon on October 31, securing the championship with a series record of 4 wins and 1 loss. Their stability in both offense and defense, combined with clutch hitting from key players, earned them their fourth crown overall, following their 2023 victory.
Meanwhile, the Hanwha Eagles fought hard aiming for their first championship since 1999 but fell just short, finishing as runners-up for the first time since 2006, spanning 19 years. Nevertheless, the emergence of young players and their tenacious play in crucial moments were highly praised, representing significant growth for a team that had been rebuilding. LG's victory once again proved the underlying strength and tradition of this prestigious franchise.
4-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
The key factors that determined victory and defeat in the 2025 Korea Series were the LG Twins' comprehensive strength and clutch performance in crucial moments. LG, the regular season champions, maintained balanced pitching and hitting, with particularly outstanding stability from their relief corps. In Game 4, starter Yony Chirinos delivered an excellent performance allowing just 1 run over 6 innings, while in the top of the 9th, Park Dong-won's 2-run homer followed by Kim Hyun-soo's (current KT wiz) go-ahead hit created a dramatic comeback victory.
Additionally, LG boasted deep talent with 4 starting pitchers winning 10+ games and 3 batters hitting .300 or better. Defensively, the solid play of Park Hae-min and Shin Min-jae prevented late-inning threats and maintained momentum. While Hanwha showed promise, defensive miscues and bullpen instability proved costly, causing them to miss the championship by a narrow margin.
4-4. MVP player
The 2025 Korea Series MVP was awarded to Kim Hyun-soo (formerly LG Twins, currently KT wiz), who posted overwhelming batting statistics with a .529 average, 1 home run, and 8 RBIs. His play, combining experience with concentration, brought stability to a team centered around young players.
Meanwhile, the 2024 season MVP was awarded to Kim Do-young of the KIA Tigers (21 years old). Kim Do-young led his team to the Korean championship with spectacular numbers including a .347 batting average, 38 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases.
5. [Taiwan] 2025 Taiwan Series
(★Image: https://x.com/CPBL/status/1982739607038108093/photo/1)
The "Taiwan Series," which determines the pinnacle of Taiwanese professional baseball, is a major event that attracts attention from many fans every year. 2025 also featured intense battles with players representing the baseball world competing for victory. Here, we provide detailed coverage from the series overview to the characteristics of the winning team, key factors that determined victory and defeat, and the MVP player.
5-1. What is the Taiwan Series?
The "Taiwan Series," the championship battle of Taiwanese professional baseball (CPBL), opens in mid-October each year and is played in a format where the first team to win 4 out of 7 games claims the championship. In 2025, it opened on October 18 and featured intense battles over approximately one week.
Taiwanese professional baseball was established in 1989 as the "Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL)" and began play in March 1990 with 4 teams. It later expanded to a maximum of 7 teams, but multiple teams disbanded following a series of match-fixing scandals in the late 1990s. In 2003, it merged with the rival "Taiwan Major League" and made a fresh start.
Currently, it operates with a 6-team structure consisting of the TSG Hawks, Wei Chuan Dragons, CTBC Brothers, Rakuten Monkeys, Fubon Guardians, and Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions. The Taiwan Series is the nation's largest event determining that year's champion and attracts the most attention from Taiwanese baseball fans.
5-2. Characteristics of the 2025 winning team and opposing team
Ace vs. Ace — who will prevail?!
— CPBL 中華職棒 (@CPBL) October 25, 2025
エース対決、勝つのはどっちだ⁉️@CTBC_Brothers Nivaldo Rodríguez🇻🇪 faces @RakutenMonkeys Pedro Fernandez🇩🇴 in Taoyuan⚾️#台湾シリーズ 第４戦先発予告：ニバルド・ロドリゲス（#中信）vs ペドロ・フェルナンデス（#楽天）#CPBL #TaiwanSeries #台湾プロ野球 pic.twitter.com/T3qqKvg7pB
In the 2025 Taiwan Series, the Rakuten Monkeys defeated the CTBC Brothers 4 games to 1, claiming their first championship in 6 years and 8th overall (first as Rakuten). Game 5 extended to the 11th inning in a thrilling contest, with Lin Hong-yu's go-ahead 2-run homer serving as the decisive blow.
The Rakuten Monkeys gained momentum by winning the first two games of the series and took a commanding position by winning Game 4 as well, showcasing outstanding offensive power and resilience. Even when trailing early in games, their ability to rally in the middle and late innings was evident, fully demonstrating their clutch performance in extra-inning situations.
The CTBC Brothers aimed for a championship return with their powerful lineup and strategic pitching changes but fell short due to late-inning runs allowed. The 2025 series was also notable as the first matchup between Japanese managers (Rakuten: Kenji Furukobo, CTBC: Keiichi Hirano), with manager Furukobo achieving his long-awaited Taiwan championship in his second year.
5-3. Key factors that determined victory and defeat
The background to the Rakuten Monkeys claiming the championship in the 2025 Taiwan Series lay in their tenacious offensive power and depth of relief pitching. In Game 5, they faced a difficult situation trailing by 4 runs through the 6th inning after allowing an early comeback, but their resilience shone through as they scored incrementally in the 7th and 8th innings to tie the game. Their ability to maintain momentum in the late innings became the difference against the CTBC Brothers.
Additionally, after starter Martinez allowed multiple runs, 6 relief pitchers stepped up and prevented additional scoring through extra innings, which was also a major factor. The decisive blow came from Lin Hong-yu's go-ahead 2-run homer in the 11th inning. Their ability to deliver in clutch situations was Rakuten's strength throughout the series. Aggressive management decisions and player concentration led to the 4-1 series victory.
5-4. MVP player
The 2025 Taiwan Series MVP was awarded to starting pitcher Pedro Fernández of the Rakuten Monkeys. Pedro Fernández started Games 2 and 4, allowing just 2 runs over a combined 13 innings with consistently stable performances. His ability to deliver in crucial moments was particularly impressive, serving as a major driving force in creating the situation where his team took a commanding 3-1 lead toward the championship.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Taiwan Series MVP was won by Tseng Sung-en of the CTBC Brothers. Following the previous year, key players from both teams performed on the big stage, supporting the Rakuten Monkeys' rise to prominence.
Summary
2025 saw major professional baseball series held across Japan, America, South Korea, and Taiwan, with top teams from each country engaging in fierce battles. In Japan, SoftBank defeated Hanshin to reclaim the Japan's Number One title, with Hotaka Yamakawa winning MVP honors with home runs in three consecutive games. In MLB, the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays in Game 7 to win their second consecutive championship, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto earning MVP with outstanding pitching performances.
In South Korea, the LG Twins became champions with a 4-1 record, with Kim Hyun-soo (currently KT wiz) winning MVP with a high batting average. In Taiwan, the Rakuten Monkeys reached the summit for the first time in 6 years, with Pedro Fernández's stable starting pitching earning him MVP honors.
※This article was created based on information as of November 2025
