FUKUOKA -- The SubMarine will get a shot at the Chiba Lotte Marines this weekend. Submarine pitcher Shunsuke Watanabe is the projected starter for Japan's World Baseball Classic warmup against the Japan Series champion at Yahoo Dome, and although he is not thrilled about facing his teammates, he is ready for the challenge.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura
looks for the ball during a practice session of Japan's team
for the World Baseball Classic at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka.
"I am pitching against my own team, but it doesn't matter anymore," he said. "I am going to work to get in 100-percent top condition." Watanabe, who was 15-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 2005, has been touted as Japan's ace for the WBC and is expected to start against Korea on March 5 in Group A pool play, but first he has to get by Saburo Omura, Matt Franco and the rest of the Marines.
Well, not quite the rest of the Marines. Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Japan Series MVP Toshiaki Imae and Tomoya Satozaki all will be on the WBC squad along with pitchers Watanabe, Soichi Fujita, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Yasuhiko Yabuta and Naoyuki Shimizu.
"We don't have many games to play," Watanabe said. "If I don't get my condition perfect, it won't be ready for the real game.
BACK IN JAPAN: Texas Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka is one of two major-leaguers playing for Japan.
As Japanese pitchers have struggled to adapt to the cowhide WBC ball, Otsuka is a sage among his teammates. The WBC ball is very similar to the MLB ball.
Otsuka plays down the difference, however. "The only difference is the WBC ball has not been broken in," he said. "You have had a chance to work with the other balls, but we will get there."
Otsuka has not had much time to work against live hitters in the preseason. He came to Fukuoka on Feb. 20, two days before training camp officially kicked off, after a short trip to Rangers spring training.
The Rangers traded for Otsuka in the offseason, acquiring him from the San Diego Padres, and there was initial concern that Otsuka would pull out of the WBC because of his new team. Otsuka has never represented Japan internationally, so the chance was too good to turn down, even if it does put him at an initial disadvantage.
"I stopped by Rangers camp for just two days and only pitched one of those days," Otsuka said. "I have not faced any batters, but in the bullpen, my fastball and slider look good."
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.