TAIPEI ¨C Though he didn¡¯t get the nod to start in Sunday¡¯s Premier 12 opener in Sapporo, Kenta Maeda is still believed to be the main guy on Samurai Japan¡¯s pitching corps.
Manager Hiroki Kokubo sent 21-year-old Shohei Otani to the mound for the opening contest against South Korea and assigned Maeda to start Wednesday¡¯s game against Mexico in Taiwan.
It makes sense because of Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Shohei Otani¡¯s familiarity with the mound at Sapporo Dome, his home stadium. What¡¯s more, Hiroshima Carp hurler Maeda is an eight-year veteran who has a better knack for adjusting to any situation as well as anyone.
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