Japan, which passed the semi-finals with a thrilling finish, dropped left-hander Imana Shota (30, Yokohama Baystars), not Darvish Yu (37, San Diego Padres), as the starter for the final. 바카라
The Japanese baseball team scored 2 RBIs at the end of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarter-finals against Mexico at the end of the 9th inning at Londipo Park in Miami, USA on the 21st (Korean time), Munetaka Murakami, who burst out at 1st and 2nd base, with a timely hit to end 6 -5 victory, advanced to the long-awaited final stage.
Japan, which reached the WBC final after 14 years, clashes with the United States, considered the strongest, at the same place at 8:00 am on the 22nd over the championship trophy. Among baseball fans, two teams that are strong enough to even stick to the expression ‘dream match’ met.
While right-hander Merrill Kelly, who has been through the KBO League, is being talked about as a starting pitcher for the U.S., which is aiming for its first two-game championship victory since Japan, Japan announced an unexpected pitcher selection.
On the 16th, Japan used Shohei Otani (29, LA Angels) as a starter for the quarterfinals against Italy. In the match against Mexico in the semifinals, Roki Sasaki (22, Chiba Lotte Marines) started, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (25, Orix Buffaloes), a starting resource that shone in the Sawamura Award, was put in.
Darvish and Imanaga were cited as possible resources to start in the final, and Darvish, who had rich experience, was likely to be a sortie, but coach Kuriyama chose Imanaga. Imanaga, who played for the WBSC Premier 12 national team in 2019, throws a 150km fastball with a lefty. Last season, in 21 starts, 11 wins and 4 losses, an average ERA of 2.26. On base per inning (WHIP) was 0.94.
In this WBC, he climbed the mound twice and recorded 4 innings, 3 hits (1 home run), 5 strikeouts and 1 run. ERA 2.25. The only run was a solo home run hit by Park Kun-woo in the match against Korea and Japan, following starter Darvish.
Since an all-out war has been announced, the starting pitcher does not mean much. If there is even a slight shake or a crisis, Darvish and Ohtani can be considered. Both pitchers took a 5-day break after appearing in the quarterfinals on the 16th, so there is no major physical problem.
In an interview with the local media, manager Phil Nevin of the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani’s team, said, “It’s not long before the start. Ohtani said that he would not pitch in the semifinals and finals, but the manager of the Japanese baseball team announced that the possibility of pitching was alive, saying, “I will respect Ohtani’s decision.”
After defeating Italy, Ohtani said, “It is impossible to start in the semifinals. Selecting the finals is also difficult. But I want to be prepared to take the mound during the finals. The final was the last game of the tournament,” he showed enthusiasm, and even after finishing the semifinals that day, he did not rule out the possibility of participating, saying, “I am mentally ready.”