When Japan manager Koji Yamamoto named his team for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, he said the two-time defending champs would need to win low-scoring games. But if that is going to happen, some of his pitchers are going to have to improve on what they've shown so far.

"Runs are going to be at a premium, that means we have to shut down opponents," the skipper said.

The quality of Japan's pitching has been the biggest issue in Yamamoto's Miyazaki camp, where players have had to adjust to the slick WBC ball and mounds rebuilt to tournament standards that are harder than those used in Nippon Professional Baseball.