*This content was translated by AI.
With the final entry of the Japanese national team to compete in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March virtually confirmed, the outline of the mound operation aiming for the second consecutive victory in the tournament is already being revealed. From Japan's perspective, which is actually looking to win the championship, a starting rotation scenario has emerged considering the quarterfinals tournament in the United States.
Japan's Asahi Shimbun said on the 26th, "The advance of the Japanese national team has almost solidified. In this WBC, the Japanese national team is expected to play up to seven games if it goes up to the final, and it is expected to have about three starting pitchers fixedly.
According to the report, manager Hirokazu Ibata plans to save Yamamoto Yoshinobu (28, LA Dodgers), Sugano Tomoyuki (37, former Baltimore Orioles, now independent), and Kikuchi Yusei (35, LA Angels) for the tournament after taking the mound one after another in the first round in Japan. Japan will meet Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and the Czech Republic in this tournament.
In fact, Japan sees the match against Taiwan, the first match, as the biggest showdown in the tournament rather than the match against Korea. In the Premier 12 final held in 2024, there is an atmosphere that Japan should take revenge on the opponent who knelt down. The calculation is that Yamamoto, the most powerful card, will be consumed first and then taken back to the mound at a tournament in the U.S.
In the 2nd and 3rd games, including the showdown with Korea, veterans from the Major League who are relatively familiar with the official ball of the Major League will also be put forward. According to the Asahi Shimbun and baseball media Full Count, Japan is planning a strategy to pass the first round by putting Sugano and Kikuchi in the match against Korea and Australia, and at the same time, make additional appearances in the tournament.
Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers), who is drawing keen attention, has yet to be decided on his pitching appearance. Japanese national team coach Hirokazu Ibata held off his answer to a related question at the entry announcement on the 26th, saying, "I think I will know after (Otani) joins the national team camp."
At a press conference on the 26th, Ibata announced 29 of the final 30 WBC entries. Japanese media are outfielder Yoshida for the remaining spot Masataka (33, Boston Red Sox) and left-hander Shota Imanaga (33, Chicago Cubs) are expected to compete. It is expected to confirm the last position after examining various factors such as physical condition and permission from the team.
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*This content was translated by AI.
