If Kenta Maeda gets the start for Japan against Puerto Rico on Sunday, he'll be pitching in the biggest game of his life.
Maeda has been one of Japan's premier pitchers over the past few seasons, but his Hiroshima Carp haven't been very successful during that span. So a start in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic will come with more pressure than the right-hander has ever dealt with.
"I've pitched twice in the WBC and this is the first international tournament for me," Maeda said. "The next game will be the biggest experience for me. I think that will be a good experience for me."