Samurai Japan still faces lineup questions despite perfect WBC record

Japan's offense has been over-reliant on MLB stars like Seiya Suzuki, seen here making a hit against South Korea at Tokyo Dome on Saturday. | JOSHUA MELLIN photo

by Jim Armstrong
March 12, 2026

While Samurai Japan heads to the elimination round of the World Baseball Classic in Miami with a perfect 4-0 record, there are some causes for concern as the team aims to defend its title.

In the first three games in the Tokyo round, Japan relied overwhelmingly on its three major league stars at the top of the batting order: Shohei Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida.

Of the 25 runs Japan drove in over the first three games, 17 came off the bats of Ohtani, Suzuki and Yoshida, who have six, five and six RBIs respectively.