ODDS and EVENS | Samurai Japan Vying for Back-to-Back WBC Titles

Youthful vigor and talent are defining traits of Samurai Japan, according to Shohei Ohtani.

Speaking at a news conference at Tokyo Dome, Ohtani shared his perspective on the makeup of the reigning World Baseball Classic squad's roster.

"Every time I join, the [number of] younger players is increasing," Ohtani told reporters on Wednesday, March 4. "I feel I'm getting old, but by looking at our teammates, we have huge potential, and it's a great team."

The 31-year-old, one of Samurai Japan's elder statesmen, will serve as the team's designated hitter in the global baseball tournament.

On Friday night, Japan faces Taiwan to kick off its quest for another WBC title.

Since the inception of the WBC in 2006, Japan has been the dominant team, winning titles in 2006, 2009 and '23. There have been five previous editions of the tournament, with the United States and the Dominican Republic winning one apiece.

Samurai Japan — *Japan's Shohei Ohtani (©SANKEI)*

Ohtani expects Japan to contend for another title. His perspective, of course, recognizes that his team has a number of established stars. This includes Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 2025 World Series MVP, along with Texas Rangers pitcher Tomoyuki Syugano, Boston Red Sox slugger Masataka Yoshida and Chicago White Sox newcomer Munetaka Murakami.

In recent days, since arriving in Japan after leaving the Dodgers' spring training complex in Arizona, Ohtani has developed positive impressions of the 2026 edition of the Samurai Japan.

He described the team as having "top-tier pros, very high-level players."

The four-time MLB MVP, including the National League winner in 2024 and '25, then said, "I am so grateful that our team has great, talented players. That's how I look at my team."

A Manager's Perspective

For trivia buffs or fans of interesting facts, add this to your baseball memory bank: managers Sadaharu Oh (2006), Tatsunori Hara (2009) and Hideki Kuriyama (2023) guided Samurai Japan to WBC titles.

Hirokazu Ibata was appointed as Kuriyama's replacement in October 2023.

On Wednesday, Ibata stressed the importance of starting WBC pool play on a positive note against Taiwan.

"Yes, all four games are going to be important, especially the first game," Ibata told reporters. "Winning the first game gives us momentum, so it's very important."

Upcoming Pool C games include Japan vs South Korea (Saturday), Japan vs Australia (Sunday) and Japan vs Czech Republic (March 10).

As a former WBC player in 2013, Ibata's managerial philosophy was influenced by his experience competing in the event.

"Something we should not do is just pay attention and play," Ibata commented. "So as soon as the game starts, I am expecting all my players to play 100% and try to be positive and try to be aggressive, not to wait until something happens. [And] so as soon as the game starts, play together and be aggressive."

Asked about some of the team's best young players, including Hanshin Tigers outfielder Shota Morishita, who hit 23 homers and batted .275 in 2025, and infielder Kaito Kozono of the Hiroshima Carp, Ibata responded with words of wisdom.

"Throughout the tournament, no one knows what's going to happen," the 46-year-old Ibata said. "They have great potential for the future. Looking back on my career, when I first was selected to the national team, I was a backup player. All I did was stay well-prepared. So [my] message to them is just stay well-prepared."

Getting Ready for Game 1

Yamamoto, no stranger to pressure-filled moments in his baseball career, will be the starting pitcher against Taiwan.

A three-time recipient of the Eiji Sawamura Award, presented annually to NPB's best pitcher, Yamamoto is eager to be a tone-setting player for Samurai Japan on Friday night.

"It will be the first game," the former Orix Buffaloes ace said. "So we want to get off to a good start and build momentum for this WBC."

During his career, Yamamoto has been the starting pitcher in season-opening games for the Buffaloes and, most recently, for the Dodgers at Tokyo Dome in 2025.

Looking back on how he's handled Opening Day assignments, Yamamoto recognizes that a similar approach is needed at the WBC.

"The first game can be difficult," he said. "They trusted me with it, so I want to do my job and answer those expectations."

Yamamoto clearly spelled out the team's ambitions for the World Baseball Classic.

"Our goal is to win back-to-back [titles]," he told reporters.

Which makes his assignment as Japan's Game 1 starter quite significant.

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Samurai Japan Enters WBC on a Positive Note

In its final exhibition game in the run-up to the WBC, Japan defeated the Tigers 5-4 on Tuesday at Kyocera Dome Osaka.

Chicago Cubs veteran Seiya Suzuki, who's slated to start in center field for Japan in this tournament, hit a solo home run in the first inning.

Kensuke Kondoh and Morishita added two-run singles in the fifth and seventh, respectively, as Japan jumped out to a 5-0 lead.

Suzuki missed the 2023 WBC due to an oblique injury. Three years later, he's happy to be a part of the Samurai Japan roster.

"We only had two warm-up games, so I just wanted to play, see lots of balls, work on my defense, and prepare well for the main tournament," Suzuki said, according to Kyodo News. "So I think I had two really good games."

Author: Ed Odeven

Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.