WBC Prospect of JS 5th Supervisor “50% Chance to Win Japan, Oppose Ohtani to Finish”
A famous coach who has advanced to the 5th inning of the Japan Series predicted Japan’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) results.
On the 8th, Japanese media Sponichi Annex said, “Director Hiromitsu Ochiai, who won the triple crown during his active career and led Chunichi to the Japan Series championship as a coach, appeared on an NHK program and predicted the possibility of Japan winning the WBC.” Director Ochiai was the director of Chunichi from 2004 to 2011. He has won the Central League four times, advanced to the Japan Series five times, and won the Japan Series once.
After winning the WBC in 2009 and failing to advance to the finals in two consecutive tournaments, Japan aims to win the WBC in March. Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Yu Darvish (San Diego), Seiya Suzuki (Cubs), Masataka Yoshida (Boston), and Lars Nuthba (St.
Regarding the starting lineup, coach Ochiai said, “The composition of the national team has not yet been completed. It is difficult to make a lineup right now,” he said sparingly, “The fourth hitter is Suzuki, Murakami Munetaka (Yakult), and Ohtani. You will be one of these 3 people. If it were me, wouldn’t it be possible to check the condition in the practice game and form the members?” 메이저놀이터
The biggest concern of the Japanese national team is how to use Ohtani. Ohtani’s team, the Angels, has allowed Ohtani to double as a pitcher in the national team. However, it has not yet been decided whether Ohtani will be a starting pitcher or a closer. Japan national team coach Hideki Kuriyama hinted at the possibility of using Ohtani as a closer.
Coach Ochiai said, “When Ohtani participates in the WBC, although it has not been announced, I think there will be conditions requested by the Angels. I want to use Ohtani as a starting pitcher. Ohtani is a pitcher who has only been a starting pitcher. The sense of the game will not be geared towards midfielder or closer pitcher,” predicted Ohtani’s technique.
Regarding Japan’s chance of winning, coach Ochiai said, “I think about 50% is okay. The key is the quarterfinals. The opponent is probably Cuba or Taiwan. Both are formidable teams. It is important how we win the game.” Regarding the United States and the Dominican Republic, which are likely to meet in the semifinals and finals, “They are strong members. Will I be able to fight well? You have to play baseball to win by keeping the pitcher at the center. He analyzed that how he accumulates points in small scoring opportunities will be a decisive factor in winning.”
