The World Baseball Classic Final has gotten off to a flying start as Team USA is playing Samurai Japan. Trea Turner started the scoring with a solo home run, and Munetaka Murakami responded with a homer of his own. Things have gone slightly downhill for Team USA since then as Japan scored twice more. At the top of the 6th inning, they lead 3-1 with stars like Shohei Ohtani, Murakami, and Kazuma Okamoto leading the charge.

But things may be taking a turn for the worse for Team USA. Two-way phenom Ohtani is looking ready to end a 7-year spell of no relief pitching today. Fans may have resigned themselves to Japan’s imminent victory. 

Shohei Ohtani gets ready for the bullpen

Samurai Japan leads Team USA 3-1 in the 6th inning and things are not looking good for the Americans. Japanese talisman Shohei Ohtani has made his way to the bullpen and may be getting ready to pitch. This would spell disaster for Team USA as they struggle to overcome their current deficit. Furthermore, it would end a 7-year spell of no relief pitching for Ohtani. The last time he pitched out of the bullpen was in the NPB postseason in 2016. MLB Insider Jon Morosi shared the news via Twitter.

In a Tweet, Morosi said, “News: Shohei Ohtani just walked to the Team Japan bullpen. @MLBNetwork”. This is bad news for the American side as they struggle to regain their footing in the game. Japan still has a 3-1 lead going into the 7th inning. 

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The reactions to this Tweet are negative, with many saying the game is over. 

Some fans said it is over for Team USA.

Others wondered what would happen if the game came down to an Ohtani-Mike Trout encounter. 

This is a huge game for Ohtani as he and Japan get closer to the World Baseball Classic trophy. But the game is not over yet and anything could happen in the last couple of innings. Japan made a remarkable comeback in the semifinals, so they should not rule out the possibility of that happening.

Can Team USA make a comeback in the final few innings?

Team USA is down 3-1 to Japan going into the button of the 7th inning. It is all up to their stars to mount a comeback and threaten Japan’s 2-run lead. The American’s offense has fallen short so far and looks to be misfiring. 

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Can Team USA make a comeback? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments below!