The 2023 World Baseball Classic continues with Samurai Japan facing the Czech Republic in the last match of the first round. The game will take place at Tokyo Dome, where Japan has already guaranteed its advancement to the quarter-finals with three consecutive wins. Upcoming, they will meet a second-place team from the D Group in Miami, marking an important stage in the tournament for the Japanese team, which has a strong history in the competition.

In a surprising move, Shohei Ohtani is not in the starting lineup for this crucial match, which is the first time he has been benched in the tournament. Instead, the manager has made significant lineup adjustments, placing Tigers' Shohta Morishita in the leadoff position and Teruaki Sato batting second, along with other changes including Kaito Kozono at shortstop. The team's previous performances showcase their offensive power and pitching depth, with Ohtani previously leading the charge with a grand slam against Taiwan in their opening game.

Prior to the game, manager Hirokazu Ibata expressed his hopes for the players to elevate their performance as they prepare for the quarter-final stage. He has high expectations for starting pitcher Hiroto Takahashi, emphasizing his fastball as a key component for success. Meanwhile, Ohtani was seen participating in bullpen practice, hinting at his readiness for a potential pitching role in upcoming games, despite not having seen game action yet. This strategic choice reflects Japan's depth and future planning in the tournament as they aim for another championship title.