MVP winners made for an exciting start to the quarterfinal game and combined to make WBC history in the process.

Ohtani hit a first-inning home run but also struck out twice and had the game-ending flyout in Japan’s quarterfinal loss to Venezuela.

So Ibata was left uncomfortably answering questions about why he pulled Yoshinobu Yamamto before 80 pitches, Japan’s bullpen struggles, its inability to score in 6 ⅓ innings against Venezuela’s bullpen, and how it was possible to cough up a 5-2 lead.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani escaped the World Baseball Classic without an injury, and that’s all that matters.

Shohei Ohtani felt heartbroken after watching his Japan team lose in the World Baseball Classic to Venezuela.

Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. got the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal off to a pulsating start, combining for the first WBC game with two leadoff homers.

Collectors watch every move in the Ohtani Judge Dual Gold Logoman 1/1 auction on Fanatics Collect. The 2025 Topps Chrome dual MVP card currently stands at $1.2 million with bidding active and days left before it closes on March 19.

The Shohei Ohtani-led Japan squad attempts to punch their ticket to the World Baseball Classic semifinals.

MIAMI (AP) — Wilyer Abreu hit a go-ahead, three-run homer after Maikel Garcia sparked the comeback with a two-run shot, and Venezuela beat Shohei Ohtani and defending champion Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday night to advance to the semifinals.

MIAMI — Shohei Ohtani is only one player. Samurai Japan’s 8-5 loss to Venezuela on Saturday night in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic was a reminder of this reality. Ohtani produced another moment of magic,

You need to see this epic home run and celebration by Shohei Ohtani in the WBC quarterfinals against Venezuela.