If pitching coach Hiroshi Gondo is right, Samurai Japan won't have to score a lot of runs to do well in March's World Baseball Classic.
"If our best players are out there, I think we'll have to be favorites," Gondo said Monday, during Japan's second practice ahead of four exhibition games this week against Mexico and the Netherlands.
"That's because of our pitching. We may not have the power of some teams, but our best pitchers can beat anyone."