Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 19, 2020
Tigers could be ready to roar in 2020
by Jason Coskrey
The Hanshin Tigers are hoping the additions they made can help them capture the CL pennant this season.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 18, 2020
Loaded Hawks ready to reclaim PL crown
by Jason Coskrey
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will be vying to win the league pennant for the first time since 2017.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 18, 2020
NPB set to return in altered form amid pandemic
by Jason Coskrey
Stadiums will be devoid of fans initially and socially distant celebrations will be the norm as the league prepares to play ball.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 17, 2020
BayStars closer Yasuaki Yamasaki hopes to convey positive message to fans when NPB season begins
by Jason Coskrey
The BayStars' Yasuaki Yamasaki is excited to finally get the 2020 season underway.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 16, 2020
Seibu's Zach Neal relishes rare opportunity to pitch on opening day
by Jason Coskrey
The South Carolina native went an impressive 12-1 in his first NPB season last year for the Pacific League winners.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 15, 2020
Six players to watch in the Pacific League in 2020
by Jason Coskrey
From Hawks outfielder Yuki Yanagita to aspiring Rakuten starter Yuki Matsui, there's plenty of stellar talent to look forward to from the Pa League.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Jun 14, 2020
Six players to watch in the Central League in 2020
by Jason Coskrey
BayStars newcomer Tyler Austin and Tigers pitcher Shintaro Fujinami are among several players who could make a big impact this season.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Mar 28, 2019
Naoki Yoshikawa could play key role for 2019 Giants
by Jason Coskrey
The Yomiuri Giants are set up to have a lot of star power in their 2019 lineup. Yoshihiro Maru is the two-time reigning Central League MVP, Hayato Sakamoto has been on four Best Nine teams, including last season, and Kazuma Okamoto was an All-Star last ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Mar 28, 2019
Central League clubs enter 2019 hoping to dethrone Carp
by Jason Coskrey
The following is the last of a two-part NPB preview ending with the 2019 Central League. In order of predicted finish: Yomiuri Giants Manager: Tatsunori Hara 2018 record: 67-71-5 (3rd) Yomiuri skipper Tatsunori Hara, back for a third stint with the team, has a roster with plenty of big ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Mar 27, 2019
Hawks look like Pacific League's best once again
by Jason Coskrey
The following is the first of a two-part NPB preview beginning with the 2019 Pacific League. In order of predicted finish: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Manager: Kimiyasu Kudo 2018 record: 82-60-1 (2nd) The Hawks usually look like the best team on paper this time of year and 2019 is no ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Mar 27, 2019
Daichi Suzuki driven by passion to succeed with Marines
by Jason Coskrey
Daichi Suzuki hasn't missed a game for the Chiba Lotte Marines in over three seasons. In 2015, he missed one. Both years before that, he was on the field for every contest. Suzuki played all his games in the field at third base last season. ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Mar 29, 2018
Carp look to remain on throne as Central League rivals prepare to mount challenge
by Jason Coskrey
The following is the second of a two-part NPB preview concluding with the 2018 Central League. In order of predicted finish: Hiroshima Toyo Carp Last season: 88-51-4 (1st) Manager Koichi Ogata has the keys to an offense that put up 736 runs in 2017, led the CL ...