The Japanese media started predicting the start of veteran Darvish (37, San Diego Padres) against Korea, who will face off on the stage of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 14 years.
Japanese media ‘Nikkan Sports’ reported on the 29th, “It is likely that Darvish will pitch as a starting pitcher for the Korean War.” Korea will play the 2nd round of Group B in the first round of the 2023 WBC finals against Japan at Tokyo Dome, Japan on March 10th.
Darvish wore the Japanese national team uniform 14 years after the 2009 WBC final against Korea. As the eldest brother of the Japanese WBC national team, he is highly likely to take the mound as a starting pitcher for the most difficult opponent in the first round, Korea, as well as leadership.
Darvish is still showing the face of a top-notch starting pitcher in the major leagues even at an age beyond his mid-30s. He recorded an outstanding performance last year with an average ERA of 3.10, 16 wins and 8 losses in 30 games.메이저놀이터
In particular, in the 2009 WBC, where Japan won the championship, he appeared in 5 games regardless of selection and relief, and played his part with an average ERA of 2.08 in 13 innings. In the Korean match, he did not show any particular strength as a scoreless pitcher in 1 inning in the first round ranking game, 3 runs in 5 innings (2 earned) in the 2nd round starting pitcher, and 1 run in 2 innings in the final with a blown save and a winning pitcher.
In Korea, the starting pitcher against Japan is still in the fog. From veterans Kim Gwang-hyeon (35, SSG Landers) and Yang Hyeon-jong (35, KIA Tigers), Young-gun Eui-ri Lee (21, KIA Tigers), Gu Chang-mo (26, NC Dinos), and Kim Yun-sik (22, LG Twins) are expected to put forward lefties. there is.
The Japanese mound is lined with ace pitchers such as Otani Shohei (29, LA Angels) and Yamamoto Yoshinobu (23, Orix Buffaloes), but ‘Nikkan Sports’ sees Darvish, the most experienced, as the winning card in the Korean War.
Since the WBC is held in March before the opening of the regular leagues of Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, and KBO League, there is a pitch limit to protect players. Pitchers cannot throw more than 65 pitches in the first round, 80 pitches in the quarterfinals, and 95 pitches after the semifinals in a single game.
Korea and Japan did not face each other in the 2013 and 2017 tournaments, with the 2009 WBC final as the last. In 14 years, the WBC’s best box-office card and a bout that stakes the pride of both countries will take place.