Japan’s ‘Fireballer’ Loki Sasaki (Chiba Lotte) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Orix) prepare for the quarterfinals.
Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun said on the 18th, “Japan’s opponent in the quarterfinals has been decided by Mexico. On the 21st, in Miami, Florida, USA, Japan’s advance to the final is at stake for the third time since 2009.”
Japan succeeded in advancing to the semifinals by defeating Italy 9-3 in the WBC quarterfinal held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on the 16th. Later that day, Mexico defeated Puerto Rico 5-4 in the quarterfinals.
The two teams will face off on the 21st at Londipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA.
Mexaco will start right-hander Patrick Sandoval, who is also a teammate of Shohei Otani’s Los Angeles Angels team in the American Major League. The Japanese media ‘Sponichi Annex’ announced, “Mexico has chosen Ohtani’s teammate Sandoval as the starting pitcher for the match against Japan.”
Japan has two fastball pitchers. 1+1 against Mexico.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Sasaki, who boasts a top speed of 164 km/h, and Yamamoto, who boasts a fastball that reaches 160 km/h, are preparing for the semifinals with a light catch ball.
Japan defeated Italy in the quarterfinals with Shohei Ohtani as the starter. Ohtani led the victory with 4 hits, 5 strikeouts, 3 walks and 2 runs in 4⅔ innings. Ohtani also boasted a fastball of 164 km/h. However, he does not start as a pitcher from the quarterfinals. 메이저놀이터
Darvish Yu (San Diego Padres), who pitched in the bullpen against Italy, also does not pitch. However, there are many fastball pitchers such as Sasaki and Yamamoto in Japan.
Attention is focusing on how Japan will deal with Mexico, which the United States also defeated 11-5 on the 13th.