Following a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners in March, Yomiuri Giants manager Tastunori Hara mused that the MLB club¡¯s lineup looked similar to his own.
Hara was specifically referencing the Mariners using one of their best hitters, Mitch Haniger, in the No. 2 spot, which is where he had deployed his own star, Hayato Sakamoto.
Hara seemed pleased with himself over the comparison, even though he¡¯d later move Sakamoto up and down in the order during the early part of the NPB season. Sakamoto, though, has been rooted at No. 2 recently while the Giants have been solidly planted at the top of the Central League.
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