Team Japan is looking to defeat Team Mexico on Monday to book their ticket to the World Baseball Classic championship. If Japan gets the job done on Monday, there's a slight chance that Shohei Ohtani could pitch against Team USA, per Bob Nightengale.
“I will check with his condition, but I would say that there won't be a zero, but basically just the idea is we're not going to push the pitchers that much,” Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama said of Ohtani possibly pitching Tuesday.
In the end, the focus is on the bigger picture. Teams are expected to do everything they can to keep players healthy before returning them to their big league ball clubs. Team Japan will likely talk to the Los Angeles Angels about Shohei Ohtani potentially pitching in relief against USA on Tuesday if they win on Monday.
Yu Darvish is the scheduled starter should Japan beat Mexico, per Nightengale as well.
Shohei Ohtani has drawn no shortage of attention during the World Baseball Classic. If there was any question about who MLB's brightest star is heading into the 2023 campaign, Ohtani's jaw-dropping performance and skyrocketing popularity have put that argument to rest. Japan will feel confident as long as he's in the lineup. But receiving contributions from him on the mound would only help matters.
For now, they will place their focus on Mexico. Team Mexico has performed well throughout the WBC. They play with passion and energy and have their sights set on reaching the WBC final.
Monday's Japan-Mexico World Baseball Classic semi-final affair promises to be an exciting contest.
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