Read the full story on SportsLook - [NPB NOTEBOOK] Solid Pitching the Key as Hiroshima Carp Climb up the CL Standings
The Hiroshima Carp have emerged as the dominant team in the Central League as the 2024 NPB season approaches the midway point.
There are several reasons but first and foremost is a starting pitching rotation that is the envy of Japanese baseball and no doubt even the major leagues.
At the top of the rotation is right-hander Daichi Ohsera, who threw a no-hitter against the Chiba Lotte Marines on Friday, June 7.
The 32-year-old Ohsera is 4-0 with 49 strikeouts and a Central League-leading 0.87 ERA.
In addition to Ohsera, the Carp also have left-hander Hiroki Tokoda, who is 7-4 with 42 strikeouts and a 1.47 ERA in 12 games.
On Tuesday, June 25, right-hander Masato Morishita turned in a performance that would have impressed Shohei Ohtani.
Morishita threw a two-hit complete-game shutout as the Carp defeated the Tokyo Yakult Swallows 3-0 at Mazda Stadium.
He needed just 91 pitches as he struck out four and walked none. Not only that, the Carp pitcher went 3-for-3 at the plate with singles in the third, fifth and sixth innings.
On the season, Morishita is 6-3 with 45 strikeouts and a 1.58 ERA in 10 games.
Another Strong Pitching Performance for the Hiroshima Carp
Aren Kuri followed Morishita's stellar performance with another gem on Wednesday, striking out four, walking none and giving up five hits and no earned runs over seven innings as the Carp defeated the Swallows 5-1.
Kuri improved to 4-4 with 55 strikeouts and a 2.36 ERA in 12 games.
"[Kuri] had a bit of a layoff between starts and I thought he looked a little sluggish at the start of the game," said Hiroshima manager Takahiro Arai. "But he settled down as the game went on and showed great tenacity."
Arai has a spectacular pitching rotation with which to work. He also has one of the best closers in the game in Ryoji Kuribayashi, who already has 20 saves, second most in the CL.
After Kuri's win, Hiroshima improved to 35-27-4 and is in first place in the Central League standings with a 3½-game lead over the second-place Hanshin Tigers.
If the pitchers can keep performing at this level, Hiroshima will be tough to catch.
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Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.
