"Otani No. 1." I took a change in the lineup! 'No hit in 12 at-bats' Kondo OUT → 'MLB aspiration' Sato is in full swing

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japanese national baseball team, which is aiming for its second consecutive World Baseball Classic (WBC) title, performed a "line-up major surgery" ahead of the doomed Venezuela match. The key is the sudden introduction of "young blood" Teruaki Sato (27, Hanshin Tigers), who has excluded "slow veteran" Kondo Genske (33, Softbank Hawks) from the lineup and has not hidden his desire for the major leagues. Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers) was absent from the starting lineup against the Czech Republic just before, but returned to the No. 1 hitter.

The Japanese national baseball team, led by coach Hirokazu Ibata (51), announced the starting list for the 2026 WBC semifinal match against Venezuela at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida on the 15th (Korea time).

Japan formed the lineup in the order of Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Teruaki Sato (right fielder), Seiya Suzuki (center fielder), Masataka Yoshida (left fielder), Kazuma Okamoto (third baseman), Munetaka Murakami (first baseman), Shugo Maki (second baseman), Sosuke Kenda (striker) and Kenya Wakatsuki (catcher).

The biggest change is the top lineup. In the first round in Tokyo, Ibata decided to exclude Kondo Kensuke, who was silent with no hits in 12 at-bats, from the starting lineup. Kondo has been criticized for breaking the flow by falling into the worst slump of the tournament.

Replacing that position is Sato Teruaki, the "great guns of Hanshin." Sato, who is playing as the fourth hitter at Hanshin, has drawn attention from domestic and foreign media by expressing his strong will to advance to the Major League ahead of the tournament. He took on the heavy responsibility of "No. 2 hitter and right fielder" on a stage where he had to prove his "aspiration to go to the Major League" with his skills. The biggest point to watch is whether Sato's unconventional use will break through the blood of Japanese attacks.

Leading hitter Shohei Ohtani will play as the first designated hitter.. Manager Ibata's intention to give as many chances as possible at-bat and pressure opposing starting ranger Suarez from the beginning is read. The synergy effect with No. 3 Seiya Suzuki is also expected.

Yamamoto Yoshinobu (LA Dodgers) will start on the mound. There are talks of returning to the Dodgers after this game, but it is expected to be officially announced after the game. The point to note is the catcher's mask. Yamamoto forms a battery with Kenya Wakatsuki, who has worked with "battery" since the Orix days of this competition. It seems to be a calculation to break through the pressure of a single game with a familiar combination.

Venezuela also countered with Ronald Acuña Jr. (right fielder), Mikel Garcia (third baseman), Luis Arraez (first baseman), Eugenio Suarez (designated hitter), Ezekiel Toba (striker), Gleyber Torres (second baseman), Willier Abreijou (left fielder), Salvador Perez (catcher), and Jackson Chorio (center fielder).

He aims at the Japanese mound with a batting lineup capable of playing in the Major League All-Star. Baseball fans around the world are paying attention to Miami to see if Ivata's drastic lineup change can calm Venezuela's firepower and bring victory.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.