Samurai Japan has announced its starting lineup for the highly anticipated exhibition game against the Netherlands, taking place on March 5, 2025, at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. This game marks the beginning of the Ragzas Samurai Japan Series 2025 and serves as significant preparation for the team as they look forward to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) scheduled for March next year.
The starting pitcher for Samurai Japan is 23-year-old Daiya Miyagi from Orix, who has garnered attention for his impressive season performance. Last year, he made 20 appearances, recording 7 wins and 9 losses with a stellar ERA of 1.91. His skills will be tested as he faces the Netherlands, aiming to solidify his role as one of the key players for the upcoming WBC.
Leading the batting lineup is Shun Mizutani, taking the leadoff position as designated hitter. Mizutani, who has recently been selected for the national team for the first time, had a breakout season after transferring to Nippon Ham, where he achieved remarkable stats, including .287 batting average, 9 home runs, and 39 RBIs over 97 games. His performance will be closely watched as he sets out to establish himself on the international stage.
Following Mizutani are the young slugger Teruaki Sato from Hanshin at the third position and Manao Nakae from Nippon Ham batting fourth. Nakae, known for his physical prowess, is poised to make his mark as he steps up against international competition. The fifth position is filled by Yusuke Oyama, another Hanshin player, who returns to represent Japan for the first time in six years. Oyama's ability to hit for power is something manager Hirokazu Ibata emphasizes as being pivotal for winning games, especially heading to the WBC.
Further along the lineup, Neiya Hosokawa, Yoshikawa, Yamamoto, and Takabe fill out the rest of the batting order. Each of these players has shown potential and will be integral as the Samurai Japan team looks to develop its offensive capabilities. This organized lineup aims to reflect the team's strategy for capitalizing on power and technique, with Ibata pointing out the necessity of having several capable hitters who can produce home runs.
This exhibition game against the Netherlands is significant not only as preparation for the WBC but also as an opportunity to scout the talents of new and younger players who might make the final roster. With the absence of players from last year's Premier 12 team, this match offers fresh faces to step up under the pressure and continue the legacy of Samurai Japan.
The starting lineup for both teams has been detailed as follows: For Samurai Japan, the batting order includes 1. Mizutani (DH), 2. Nagaoka (SS), 3. Sato (3B), 4. Manao (RF), 5. Oyama (1B), 6. Hosokawa (LF), 7. Yoshikawa (2B), 8. Yamamoto (C), and 9. Takabe (CF), with Daiya Miyagi on the mound. The Netherlands will counter with their own lineup, testing Samurai Japan's mettle as they get ready for the significant challenges of the WBC.
Kick-off for this first match of the Ragzas Samurai Japan Series is set for 7:00 PM local time. Fans can expect high-level baseball as the newly formed roster aims to build synergy and polish their skills against the Dutch team.
With the stakes high and great expectations from Coach Ibata, this game could set the tone for what lies ahead. The manager has expressed his desire for home runs to be part of the game strategy, showing faith in his lineup's capability to fulfill these ambitions. The game serves as both preparation and potential selection criteria for next year's marquee event, making every play count as Samurai Japan strives for excellence.
Samurai Japan is committed to developing its team, and with such promising talent on display, fans are eager to see how these players perform against the Netherlands. Their quest for glory at the WBC is just beginning, but this exhibition against the Dutch will be seen as the first step toward realizing their championship aspirations.