Naoki Yoshikawa could play key role for 2019 Giants
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 ...
Central League clubs enter 2019 hoping to dethrone Carp
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 ...
Hawks look like Pacific League's best once again
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 ...
Daichi Suzuki driven by passion to succeed with Marines
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. ...
Carp look to remain on throne as Central League rivals prepare to mount challenge
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 ...
Hawks look set to maintain stranglehold over Pacific League rivals
The following is the first of a two-part NPB preview beginning with the 2018 Pacific League. In order of predicted finish: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Last season: 94-49 (1st) The reigning Pacific League and Japan Series champions return with most of the pieces intact from the 2017 squad ...
