The United States advanced to the final first. Now, will Japan advance to the finals and make a dream match?

Japan, which participated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), will play in the semifinals with Mexico on the 21st (hereinafter Korean time) at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida, USA for the final ticket. do. In Japan, Loki Sasaki, the ‘Perfect Man’, has been announced as the starting pitcher. Mexico will be starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval, teammate of Shohei Otani (LA Angels).

American media ‘Boston.com’ analyzed the Japanese national team, ‘Samurai Japan’, and reported that it was “too strong.” The media evaluated the Japanese national team, saying, “There are still many talents around major leaguers Otani and Masataka Yoshida (Boston).”

Japan defeated China, Korea, the Czech Republic, and Australia in the first round and advanced to the quarterfinals with four wins. In the quarterfinals, they beat Italy, led by coach Mike Piazza, 9-3. Japan is the only team that is undefeated with 5 victories in this tournament. In Group D of the first round, Venezuela advanced to the quarterfinals with four wins, but was eliminated after a come-from-behind loss to the United States.

The United States went 3-1, losing to Mexico in Group C. The USA defeated Venezuela 9-7 in the quarterfinals and advanced to the final with a 14-2 win over Cuba in the semifinals. 5 wins and 1 loss Mexico, which faces Japan in the semifinals, won three consecutive victories after losing to Colombia in Group C to top the group.

Boston.com praised the outstanding pitching balance, saying, “Japan is the only undefeated team left in the WBC.” Japan recorded 47 points and 11 runs in 5 games, a team batting average of .301, an OPS of .996, and a team ERA of 1.80.

In addition, the media introduced “If you pay attention to Ohtani, he has an average ERA of 2.08 as a pitcher and an OPS of 1.438 as a batting average” and mentioned his excellent record as a two-time job. “It’s not just the names Major League fans know, but there are still many talented players around Ohtani and Yoshida,” he said.

Boston.com introduced, “The rest of the starting rotation, centered on Ohtani, boasts overwhelming power so far. Rocky Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who will start as a starter and bullpen for the semifinals, are the aces of NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball).” .

Japan won the first championship in 2006 and the second tournament in 2009. However, in the 2013 and 2017 competitions, they failed to advance to the finals. If they beat Mexico, they will advance to the finals for the first time in 14 years and have a chance to challenge for a third championship.

Meanwhile, the U.S. advanced to the final by winning 14-2 in the quarterfinal match against Cuba held at Londippo Park on the 20th. After winning the championship in 2017, we will challenge for the second consecutive championship. 메이저놀이터