No big stars, no big problem

FUKUOKA, Japan — Japan will look to replace the likes of Ichiro Suzuki and Yu Darvish with a new generation of young talent as it bids to capture a third straight World Baseball Classic title.

Suzuki, a key player when Japan won the tournament in 2006 and 2009, opted to sit out the third edition of baseball’s global tournament. Shortly after Suzuki announced his decision, Darvish, Norichika Aoki and just about every other Japanese player in Major League Baseball followed suit.

Now Japan will get a chance to see how its upand-coming pros from home stack up when the two-time defending champions begin their title defence on Saturday at Fukuoka Dome against Brazil.

Japan is in Group A with 2006 runner-up Cuba, China and a Brazil team managed by Hall of Famer Barry Larkin.

Japan could struggle to score runs without being able to rely on Suzuki in the leadoff spot.

While the team has several players who can hit home runs, Koji Yamamoto’s squad will look to manufacture runs by getting runners on and moving them over.

The sacrifice bunt will be used early and often.

Hayato Sakamoto, a 24-year-old shortstop who helped the Yomiuri Giants win the Japan Series last year, will be the leadoff hitter for Japan.

“There are many young players so we need to stick to the Japanese style of baseball,” Yamamoto said.

“Moving the runner over and getting good results from our pitchers. As long as we do that, we should be fine.”

Strong pitching will be a main feature of Japan’s team. Yamamoto has a solid 13-member pitching staff led by 24-year-old right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who is expected to start Japan’s opener.