D-4 Tokyo Dome Showdown: Why Kikuchi Yusei Will Start for Japan in the WBC Korea-Japan Game — and 5 Scenarios for Korea to Crack the Left-Handed Ace
With four days to go until the 2026 WBC Korea-Japan matchup (March 7, Tokyo Dome), Japan has all but confirmed MLB veteran Kikuchi Yusei (LA Angels) as their starter. How Korea's lineup handles Kikuchi — who surrendered 3 runs in 4 innings against Orix in a tune-up game — is the biggest storyline heading into Round 1.
A rivalry where even rock-paper-scissors can't be lost. As the 2026 World Baseball Classic opens on March 5, the Pool C clash between Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 7 is drawing the attention of baseball fans worldwide. Japan's starting pitcher has been all but confirmed as Kikuchi Yusei (菊池雄星, 35, LA Angels). Korea's starter remains shrouded in mystery.
TL;DR
- Kikuchi Yusei: 4 innings, 3 runs (2 earned), 46 pitches in the March 2 tune-up vs. Orix before being pulled
- Japanese media have effectively confirmed Kikuchi as starter for the March 7 Korea game
- Kikuchi is a WBC debut veteran and left-hander with an MLB career record of 48W-58L, ERA 4.46
- Korea's starting pitcher has yet to be announced by manager Ryu Ji-hyeon
- Sports Illustrated named the Korea-Japan game one of the five most exciting WBC Round 1 matchups
Why Kikuchi Is Starting Against Korea
Kikuchi Yusei left Japan's NPB in 2019 to debut in MLB with the Seattle Mariners. He later moved to the Toronto Blue Jays before joining the LA Angels in 2025, amassing an MLB career record of 48W-58L with an ERA of 4.46 as a left-handed starter.
There are three reasons he was selected to start against Korea:
- Left-handed advantage: Korea's lineup features a high number of right-handed batters. A left-hander's slider and curveball move in a trajectory that works against right-handed hitters.
- Experience: At 35, he is a seasoned veteran who has handled the pressure of the international stage.
- Rotation optimization: If Japan's ace Yamamoto Yoshinobu (LA Dodgers) takes the mound in the opener on March 5, Kikuchi slots naturally into the March 7 Korea game.
"Kikuchi's start against Korea is effectively confirmed. His tune-up results weren't satisfying, but there will be no problem with him taking the mound on the 7th." — Japan's Sports Hochi
What the Tune-Up Game Revealed About Kikuchi's Current Form
In the official WBC tune-up game between Japan and the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka on March 2, Kikuchi was pulled after 4 innings, 46 pitches, 6 hits, 2 strikeouts, and 3 runs (2 earned).
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Innings pitched | 4 innings |
| Pitch count | 46 |
| Hits allowed | 6 |
| Strikeouts | 2 |
| Runs / Earned runs | 3 / 2 |
Japanese media noted that "while the first inning was a shocking 3-run start, he settled down from the 2nd through the 4th." Analysts suggest command issues — not pure stuff — were the bigger problem. From Korea's perspective, there is reason to target him aggressively early.
5 Scenarios for Ryu Ji-hyeon's Team to Attack Kikuchi
① Early Blitz — Strike Hard in the 1st and 2nd Innings
Kikuchi's tune-up data shows his stuff is shaky early. The top priority is for lead-off batters to attack from the first pitch, driving up his pitch count quickly to force an early exit.
② Exploit Left-Handed Batters
Against a left-hander like Kikuchi, left-handed hitters actually have an advantage as the ball moves toward them, making it easier to pull. The role of left-handed batters like Kim Hye-seong (LA Dodgers) and Park Hae-min becomes critical.
③ Power Hitting from Go Woo-seok & Shea Langeliers
Kikuchi's fastball averages around 150–153 km/h. MLB-experienced batters Go Woo-seok (Detroit) and Shea Langeliers (Houston) have the ability to hit for extra bases in that velocity range.
④ Maximize Lee Jung-hoo's On-Base Rate
Captain Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants) has exceptional contact skills and pitch recognition. He is expected to consistently reach base via walks and hits against Kikuchi, manufacturing scoring opportunities.
⑤ Counter-Move: The Psychological Edge of Korea's Undisclosed Starter
Manager Ryu Ji-hyeon is deliberately keeping Korea's starter secret. This is a mind game designed to confuse Japan's scouting team — and depending on who actually takes the mound, it minimizes strategic exposure.
Context: Korea's Recent WBC Struggles and This Year's Roster
Korea suffered a humiliating Round 1 elimination in the 2023 WBC, losing to Australia in a comeback defeat before being crushed 3–14 by Japan. The goal this tournament is a Round 2 appearance for the first time in 17 years.
MLB.com recently ranked Korea 7th in its WBC power rankings. Alongside overseas stars like Lee Jung-hoo, Kim Hye-seong, and Go Woo-seok, the addition of Korean-heritage players Jeremy Jones (Detroit), Shea Langeliers (Houston), and Dane Dunning (Seattle) has given Korea what many consider its strongest-ever roster.
American outlet Sports Illustrated named the Korea-Japan game one of the five most exciting matchups in the 2026 WBC Round 1, writing: "Japan has the edge on paper, but keep your eyes on what kind of upset Korea might pull off."
Outlook & Checklist
The Korea-Japan game is more than just baseball — it is a clash of national pride. Will Kikuchi shake off the doubts from his tune-up? Or will Ryu Ji-hyeon's squad seize the early momentum and silence Tokyo Dome? The battle begins at 7:00 PM on March 7.
Reference Links
- Japan Confirms Kikuchi for Korea Matchup — Sports Hankook
- Kikuchi Allows 3 Runs in 4 Innings at WBC Evaluation Game — Chosun English
- Korea Ranked 7th in MLB.com WBC Power Rankings — Chosun
- WBC Pool C Preview — Yahoo Sports
Image Credit
- Tokyo Dome aerial photo: Wikimedia Commons / Tokyo Dome Aerial photograph 2007 — CC BY-SA 3.0, ©Lombroso