This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
I guess that would leave Watanabe (or Sugiuchi?) starting against the US, then Uehara starting against Mexico and Matsuzaka against Korea, though Uehara and Matsuzaka could switch spots and have 4 days off. It seems to me like Oh thought the US would have easily gained the one seed and he would have had Uehara or Matsuzaka lined up to face them.
The US only has 3 starting pitchers on their roster, and Willis and Clemens won't be allowed to pitch against Japan due to the rules regarding days off between starts with more than 50 pitches. That means that Japan will be facing Jake Peavy.
Peavy was in the 2004 Japan MLB All-Star Series. He started two games, threw 11 innings, giving up 2 runs on 8 hits and striking out 9 without a walk. Watanabe gave up 3 runs in 6 innings over a start and relief appearance in the Series. Matsuzaka and Uehara did better, combining for 20 innings, 12 hits, and 4 runs. There aren't many submariners here in the States though.