Japan won its third World Baseball Classic title on Tuesday night by beating Team USA in a 3-2 finals thriller. The showdown was decided by the clash of Los Angeles Angels’ teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout in the ninth inning, which saw Japan’s two-way star striking out the three-time AL MVP.

Ohtani and Trout facing each other when the stakes were highest will go down as the most memorable moment of the 2023 edition of the WBC. It was the first time that fans got to see two of the biggest baseball stars playing on opposite sides and possibly the last ones.

“This is the best moment in my life,” said Ohtani after the game. “I’ve seen Japan winning and just wanted to be part of it. I really appreciate that I was able to have this great experience.”

Ohtani claimed the MVP of the tournament honors thanks to his contribution on both the mound and at the plate. He pitched 1.86 ERA and 11 strikeouts while batting .435 with a home run and four doubles.

Japan, who was undefeated at the 2023 WBC, remains the most decorated nation in tournament history, having also won the first two editions in 2006 and 2010. The United States remains one-time champions, with Team USA winning it all in 2017.

The post Japan Beats Team USA to Win the World Baseball Classic appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani continued with a stellar performance at this year’s World Baseball Classic. Pitching for Japan on Thursday, Ohtani struck out five batters and allowed just two runs allowed to help his country to a dominant 9-3 win.

The audience at the Tokyo Dome also witnessed Ohtani throwing his fastest pitch since he came to MLB in 2018. The 28-year-old threw a 102-mph heater in the second inning to strike out Vinnie Pasquantino. His previous high was clocked at 101.4 mph in September against the Houston Astros.

By beating Italy, Japan has secured a spot in the WBC semifinals for their fifth straight time. They are now the only country in the history of the competition to do so.

Ohtani is serving in a dual role for Japan at WBC in the same way he has been doing for the Angels. He is batting .438 and has one home run with eight RBIs. On the mound, he has a 2.08 ERA with 10 strikeouts.

Japan is set to play either Mexico or Puerto Rico in the semis, with Ohtani just serving as a hitter. The 2021 AL MVP will have a chance to pitch again if his team manages to get to the finals. Japan made the WBC finals twice, in 2006 and 2009, and won both times. 

The post Shohei Ohtani Delivers 102-mph Pitch Against Italy, Leads Japan to WBC Semis appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In yet another blow to the world of sports thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, news leaked on Monday that the 2021 World Baseball Classic is set to be canceled.

This spring tradition, which normally takes place every four years in March as a lead-in to the Major League Baseball season, is going to be canceled next year due to the circumstances of this season and the preparations for next season.

MLB is set to go forward with an abbreviated regular season in 2020 which will hamper preparation plans and players’ normal routines for the 2021 season, which led to the decision about the 2021 World Baseball Classic.

Normally, players are forced to skip part of Spring Training in order to participate in the WBC, a step which they clearly will not feel inclined towards taking next spring.

The uncertainly revolving around sites for games and the possibility of crowds at games next March also factored into the decision.

The last edition of the WBC, held in 2017, saw the United States defeat Puerto Rico for the title.

It’s still unknown when the competition’s next tournament will take place, although tentative plans have it penciled in for 2023.

The post 2021 World Baseball Classic Set to Be Cancelled appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Japan won its third World Baseball Classic title on Tuesday night by beating Team USA in a 3-2 finals thriller. The showdown was decided by the clash of Los Angeles Angels’ teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout in the ninth inning, which saw Japan’s two-way star striking out the three-time AL MVP.

Ohtani and Trout facing each other when the stakes were highest will go down as the most memorable moment of the 2023 edition of the WBC. It was the first time that fans got to see two of the biggest baseball stars playing on opposite sides and possibly the last ones.

“This is the best moment in my life,” said Ohtani after the game. “I’ve seen Japan winning and just wanted to be part of it. I really appreciate that I was able to have this great experience.”

Ohtani claimed the MVP of the tournament honors thanks to his contribution on both the mound and at the plate. He pitched 1.86 ERA and 11 strikeouts while batting .435 with a home run and four doubles.

Japan, who was undefeated at the 2023 WBC, remains the most decorated nation in tournament history, having also won the first two editions in 2006 and 2010. The United States remains one-time champions, with Team USA winning it all in 2017.

The post Japan Beats Team USA to Win the World Baseball Classic appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani continued with a stellar performance at this year’s World Baseball Classic. Pitching for Japan on Thursday, Ohtani struck out five batters and allowed just two runs allowed to help his country to a dominant 9-3 win.

The audience at the Tokyo Dome also witnessed Ohtani throwing his fastest pitch since he came to MLB in 2018. The 28-year-old threw a 102-mph heater in the second inning to strike out Vinnie Pasquantino. His previous high was clocked at 101.4 mph in September against the Houston Astros.

By beating Italy, Japan has secured a spot in the WBC semifinals for their fifth straight time. They are now the only country in the history of the competition to do so.

Ohtani is serving in a dual role for Japan at WBC in the same way he has been doing for the Angels. He is batting .438 and has one home run with eight RBIs. On the mound, he has a 2.08 ERA with 10 strikeouts.

Japan is set to play either Mexico or Puerto Rico in the semis, with Ohtani just serving as a hitter. The 2021 AL MVP will have a chance to pitch again if his team manages to get to the finals. Japan made the WBC finals twice, in 2006 and 2009, and won both times. 

The post Shohei Ohtani Delivers 102-mph Pitch Against Italy, Leads Japan to WBC Semis appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In yet another blow to the world of sports thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, news leaked on Monday that the 2021 World Baseball Classic is set to be canceled.

This spring tradition, which normally takes place every four years in March as a lead-in to the Major League Baseball season, is going to be canceled next year due to the circumstances of this season and the preparations for next season.

MLB is set to go forward with an abbreviated regular season in 2020 which will hamper preparation plans and players’ normal routines for the 2021 season, which led to the decision about the 2021 World Baseball Classic.

Normally, players are forced to skip part of Spring Training in order to participate in the WBC, a step which they clearly will not feel inclined towards taking next spring.

The uncertainly revolving around sites for games and the possibility of crowds at games next March also factored into the decision.

The last edition of the WBC, held in 2017, saw the United States defeat Puerto Rico for the title.

It’s still unknown when the competition’s next tournament will take place, although tentative plans have it penciled in for 2023.

The post 2021 World Baseball Classic Set to Be Cancelled appeared first on SportzBonanza.