Without giving anyone a moment of rest, World Baseball Classic has managed to keep everyone on their toes. And now, it’s about to come to an end. Team Japan last night went against Team Mexico to clinch their seat in the finals. And what was an epic back-and-forth battle ended with Team Japan making their way to the finals. Until now, Team Japan has remained undefeated, and MLB’s Shohei Ohtani is a big part of why. 

However, it might not have been possible if it wasn’t for the infielder, Munetaka Murakami, and his walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth inning. Most recently, the Angels’ two-way phenom posed with the game’s hero, who took the team to the win. But as he congratulated Murakami, he also commended pitcher Patrick Sandoval, his MLB teammate from Mexico. 

Shohei Ohtani humbly acknowledges and congratulates the best

Munetaka Murakami, who brought the win to Team Japan and helped them remain undefeated, is also a champion in his country’s Nippon Professional League. In last year’s NPB, Murakami won the MVP in the central league. Even before Mune had completed his walk-off, his team had already emerged from the dugout to celebrate the inevitable. 

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Ohtani, who is already a star player, congratulated the hero of the semi-finals. With him, the two-way phenom also complimented the opposition team’s player, Patrick Sandoval, for his fantastic pitching in the game. He wrote, “What a game!!  What a swing Mune!! What a pitching performance Sandy!!” Needless to say, shortly after the two-way phenom, iconic Ohtani posted the two pictures, fans went crazy.

Also, out of those fans, one was Sandoval, Ohtani’s teammate from MLB, who thanked him for congratulating him rather emotionally. He wrote in the comments, “Thanks a lot Sho I’m gonna cry myself to sleep tonight.”

One more fight for Team Japan to take the trophy home for the third time

By winning over Team Mexico in a nail-biting game, Team Japan has advanced to the finals for the one last fight against Team USA. Japan will be going against the team which will be defending their title from when they won the tournament in 2017. Since then, it is only the second time that Team USA has come this far in the tournament. 

Also, the two-way phenom Ohtani won’t be the starting pitcher in the ultimate showdown, but Shota Imanaga. 

But will the defending champions win, or the undefeated team of 2023 take the tournament’s trophy home? What do you think? Who are you backing to win? Trout’s Team USA or Ohtani’s Team Japan? Let us know in the comments below!

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