Summer Olympics / Baseball Aug 3, 2021
Japan squeezes by U.S. in extra innings, buying easy pass to semifinals
by Jason Coskrey
The win sets up Japan for a matchup against South Korea, while the U.S. faces a tougher route to a place in the final.
Summer Olympics Jul 28, 2021
What to watch on Day 5 of the Tokyo Olympics
by Joel Tansey
Another showdown between a pair of stars in the pool and a much-anticipated debut for Samurai Japan in baseball highlight another busy day in Tokyo.
Summer Olympics / Baseball Jun 18, 2021
Masahiro Tanaka and Atsunori Inaba to get shot at redemption at Tokyo Games
by Jason Coskrey
If there are any people around Samurai Japan who understand Olympic success is not a given, it's Atsunori Inaba and Masahiro Tanaka.
Summer Olympics / Baseball Jun 16, 2021
Masahiro Tanaka and Tomoyuki Sugano highlight Samurai Japan squad for Tokyo Games
by Jason Coskrey
Manager Atsunori Inaba will be calling upon NPB's top players to deliver gold for the host nation when the Olympic baseball tournament begins on July 28.
Japanese Baseball May 23, 2021
Shogo Nakamura did the bulk of the damage against Masahiro Tanaka and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' bullpen on Saturday, paving the way for a 3-1 Chiba Lotte Marines win that knocked their opponents off the top of the Pacific League standings. Nakamura doubled in ...
Japanese Baseball May 16, 2021
Masataka Yoshida beats Masahiro Tanaka as Buffaloes knock off Eagles
Masataka Yoshida turned Masahiro Tanaka's impressive start on its head with a come-from-behind three-run homer that lifted the Orix Buffaloes to a 4-3 win over the Pacific League-leading Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles on Saturday. Tanaka (2-3) cruised through the first five innings but surrendered back-to-back ...
Japanese Baseball Apr 25, 2021
Returning to Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi for the first time since 2013, the former Yankee star allowed just three hits in a victory over the Lions.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Apr 18, 2021
Masahiro Tanaka has plenty to contemplate after rough NPB return
by Jason Coskrey
The former Yankees ace, who rejoined Rakuten over the winter after seven seasons in the majors, was tagged for two home runs in Saturday's loss to the Fighters.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Apr 17, 2021
Fighters find enough power to spoil Masahiro Tanaka's return to Japan
by Jason Coskrey
Sho Nakata hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Kazunari Ishii went deep in the second and the Fighters spoiled Tanaka's season debut.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB Preview Mar 26, 2021
Six players to watch in the Pacific League in 2021
by Jason Coskrey
Japanese baseball is back, which makes this a great time to single out a few players in the Pacific League who fans should keep an eye on this season.
Japanese Baseball Feb 28, 2021
Former New York Yankee Masahiro Tanaka will open the season as the second starting pitcher in the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles rotation, manager Kazuhisa Ishii said Saturday. Tanaka, who returned to the Pacific League club this year for the first time since his 2013 MVP ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Feb 20, 2021
Masahiro Tanaka surrendered three runs over two innings on Saturday in his first action since returning to the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles from the major leagues this year. Tanaka, who in January opted to return to his first pro club in Japan after going 78-46 over ...