Korea Faces 'Ohtani Dilemma' Ahead of Crucial WBC Clash with Japan

South Korea's national baseball team faces its biggest challenge in 17 years as it seeks to advance to the World Baseball Classic knockout rounds. The key to victory in Thursday evening's match against Japan at Tokyo Dome hinges on containing superstar slugger Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Regardless of the Japan game outcome, Korea must win its subsequent matches against Taiwan and Australia to secure advancement.

To Pitch or Walk: Korea's Complex Calculation

Korea's bench faces a difficult decision. Ohtani's destructive power was on full display in Japan's previous game against Taiwan. He went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and five RBIs, leading Japan to a 13-0 mercy-rule victory in seven innings. Taiwan's pitching staff, which chose to challenge Ohtani directly, could not prevent the scoring onslaught. Korea's pitchers face the same risk of extra-base hits if they attack Ohtani, but pitching around him with off-speed balls could lead to big innings when combined with Japan's supporting lineup.

Starting pitcher Ko Young-pyo of KT Wiz declared his intentions. "Worrying about Ohtani won't suddenly make me throw 150 km/h," he said. "I'll pitch on instinct."

Korea has gone 0-10-1 against Japan in 11 games since their 2015 Premier 12 semifinal meeting. Breaking this losing streak requires solid starting pitching and shutting down Japan's core lineup. Meanwhile, Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University warned of possible Rising Sun flag displays in the stands, pledging to immediately alert foreign media and file protests if spotted, adding off-field tensions to the rivalry.

Path to Quarterfinals: Taiwan and Australia Are Key

Regardless of the Japan result, Korea's advancement depends on games against Taiwan on March 8 and Australia on March 9. Under tournament tiebreaker rules—which consider head-to-head record, fewest runs allowed ratio, and lowest earned run average in sequence—Korea must defeat both teams to eliminate complex scenarios and secure a charter flight to the United States.

Opponents are equally desperate. Taiwan, which lost consecutive games to Australia and Japan, routed Czech Republic 14-0 in a mercy-rule victory on Thursday, regaining offensive momentum. However, Taiwan used Lin Yu-min, their likely starter against Korea, in relief during the Czech Republic game. Having thrown 30 pitches, Lin cannot pitch against Korea on March 8 under tournament pitch-count rules.

Australia, meanwhile, secured two early wins after defeating Taiwan 3-0 in their opener and beating Czech Republic. Manager Dave Nilsson said Australia will deploy full strength against Korea on March 9 to clinch a quarterfinal berth.

U.S. Flexes Firepower as Baseball Powers Cruise

Global baseball powers also secured opening victories in pool play. The United States, the tournament favorite, routed Brazil 15-5 on Thursday in Houston, Texas, collecting 10 hits and drawing 17 walks.

Team captain Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees set the tone with a two-run homer in the first inning. Starter Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants delivered a quality outing, allowing one run over four innings. Brazil starter Bo Takahashi, who previously played for Korea's KIA Tigers, took the loss after surrendering two runs in one inning. In the same pool, Mexico defeated Great Britain 8-2.

In Pool A, Puerto Rico blanked Colombia 5-0 and Cuba edged Panama 3-1. In Pool D, Venezuela defeated the Netherlands 6-2, while the Dominican Republic hammered Nicaragua 12-3 with 14 hits.