Though he didn't get the nod to start in Sunday's Premier 12 opener in Sapporo, Kenta Maeda is still believed to be the main guy on Samurai Japan's pitching corps.
Manager Hiroki Kokubo sent 21-year-old Shohei Otani to the mound for the opening contest against South Korea and assigned Maeda to start Wednesday's game against Mexico in Taiwan.
It makes sense because of Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Shohei Otani's familiarity with the mound at Sapporo Dome, his home stadium. What's more, Hiroshima Carp hurler Maeda is an eight-year veteran who has a better knack for adjusting to any situation as well as anyone.