At the World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held in March, the South Korea national team is likely to face Yamamoto Yoshinobu (Los Angeles Dodgers) or Kikuchi Yusei (Los Angeles Angels) as the opposing starting pitcher in the game against their "archrival" Japan.
According to Japanese national team officials, Yamamoto and Kikuchi are preparing to start against South Korea and Taiwan in the first round. It has not yet been decided which game they will pitch.
Japan's one-two punch, Yamamoto and Kikuchi, are said to be adjusting their pitching schedules to start in the Taiwan game (March 6) and the South Korea game (March 7), and to prepare as starters for the quarterfinals (March 14–15) and the semifinals (March 16–17).
Yamamoto was a key figure in the Los Angeles Dodgers' consecutive World Series championships last year. In the regular season he appeared in 30 games (173⅔ innings), going 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA and 201 strikeouts. He excelled in the World Series with three appearances (17⅔ innings), 3-0 and a 1.02 ERA. In particular, he earned a 6-inning, one-run win as the starter in Game 6, then, without rest, appeared as a relief pitcher in the ninth inning of Game 7 the next day, throwing 2⅔ scoreless innings and powering the team to the championship, earning World Series MVP honors.
If Yamamoto starts against Taiwan, it is likely that South Korea will face Kikuchi. Last year Kikuchi, with the Angels, appeared in 33 games (178⅓ innings), going 7-11 with a 3.99 ERA and 174 strikeouts.
On the 12th (Korean time) Kikuchi threw a 97-mph (156 km/h) fastball at the Angels' spring camp in Arizona, U.S. That day was the first training day for Angels pitchers and catchers.
According to Japanese media, Kikuchi threw 34 pitches in bullpen pitching and conducted live batting practice against hitters. Kikuchi threw 49 pitches against 13 batters. He allowed two hit‑hard balls but also recorded two strikeouts. His fastball reached a peak of 97 mph (156 km/h).
Kikuchi said, "Speed isn't the only thing that matters, but it's the first time I've thrown 97 mph before the season opener. With less than a month until the WBC opens, I'm already getting excited. I still don't know my pitching date."
Kikuchi has a strong desire to play in the WBC. He did not participate in the 2023 WBC. This is his first WBC appearance. He added, "From the time my last appearance of last year ended, I talked with trainers and got my body ready to match the March 5 WBC opening."
Kikuchi also expressed his determination, saying, "I've always kept cheering while watching on TV. I'll be pitching in a place like that. I want to show kids that baseball is great."
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