Japan's starting pitcher for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers).
Japanese outlet Sankei Sports reported on the 13th (Korea time) on the official press conference held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, where the Japan and Venezuela national teams met.
Japan, which advanced from round 1 as the first-place team in Pool C, and Venezuela, which advanced to the quarterfinals as the second-place team in Pool D, will clash on the 15th for a ticket to the semifinals.
At the press conference that day, manager Hirokazu Ibata announced the starting pitcher for the Venezuela game. Yamamoto will pitch.
Manager Ibata said, "Yamamoto is the starter. I haven't thought about what comes after that yet. In any case, it's a single-elimination game, so we must pour everything we have into the next game."
Yamamoto started for Japan in Pool C's first game at the WBC held at the Tokyo Dome against Taiwan, throwing 53 pitches over 2 2/3 scoreless innings.
Manager Ibata said, "I hope he goes as far as he can, but we also have to consider the schedule after that. I want him to focus on each inning and each batter as he throws."
Sankei Sports reported, "From the quarterfinals onward, the pitch count limit for pitchers increases to 80 pitches, but considering the Dodgers' season opener, it is likely he will throw about four innings and roughly 60 pitches."
Yamamoto threw in the bullpen that day. After the bullpen session, Yamamoto showed confidence ahead of the game against Venezuela's powerful lineup, saying, "My body feels very good and my form is getting better. I think I can take the mound with confidence."
Yamamoto conducted about 30 throws between catch play and the bullpen. Ahead of this important start, Yamamoto declared, "This is a game we can no longer afford to lose. I hope the team can come together as one and show the strengths of Japanese baseball."
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