WBC = World Baseball Classic which reached the fifth this time.

This is a tournament where 20 teams, the largest number ever, will compete for the top spot in the world, an increase of 4 teams from the previous tournament.



Hideki Kuriyama, the manager of the Japan national team, will aim for the first victory in three tournaments since 2009, with the goal of "defensive baseball centered on the pitcher."

Japan to recapture the world's No. 1 "strong line-up"

The Japan national team, aiming to win the championship for the first time in three tournaments, will come in with a strong line-up.

Shohei Ohtani of the Angels.

A total of four major league players were selected, including Padres pitcher Yu Darvish and Cardinals Lars Nutvar, the first Japanese player to represent Japan in the WBC.



Lotte's Roki Sasaki, the youngest player in professional baseball history to complete a perfect game, and Orix's Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who won the Sawamura Award for two years in a row.



In addition, gorgeous members such as the youngest triple crown champion in history, Munetaka Murakami of Yakult, gathered their faces.

“Rivals have no chance” A row of major leaguers

In this tournament, not only Japan but also many other teams who are active in the major leagues will participate.

According to Major League Baseball, the number of participating major leaguers will be more than 180.



Among them, the focus is on the American national team.

The captain is a teammate of Trout and Otani, and is one of the best hitters in the major leagues.



In addition, Goldschmidt of the Cardinals, who was MVP last season; Schwarber of the Phillies, who won the home run king of the National League with 46 home runs; Top players with a proven track record, such as Arenado of the Cardinals, who have won the championship, will aim for consecutive victories.



In addition, the Dominican Republic, which is aiming to win the championship for the first time in two tournaments, has Alcantara pitcher of the Marlins who won the National League Cy Young Award last season.

The road to victory

In Group B, Japan will play in the first round at the Tokyo Dome.

Manager Hideki Kuriyama, who leads Japan, advocates ``defensive baseball with a focus on pitchers,'' and since there is a limit on the number of pitches, it is important to use the 15 pitchers who make up half of the national team.



The first round will be played against China on March 9, South Korea on March 10, the Czech Republic on March 11, and Australia on March 12.



Ranking is determined by winning percentage, and in the event of a tie, the head-to-head results will determine the ranking.



The top two teams advance to the quarterfinals, and if Japan wins, the match will be held at the Tokyo Dome on the 16th.



The semi-finals and finals will be held in Miami, Florida, USA from 19th to 21st local time.

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