Japan, powered by designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, is leading the defending champion at this year's World Baseball Classic (WBC), while Team USA, other teams like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are also aiming to deny Japan another title. Unlike last year's WBC, Japan will not be playing on the mound and instead will focus on his two-way performance. The sixth edition of the WBC will be held March 5-17 in Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Houston and Miami. Despite not having Ohtoni on the pitch, Japan's deep pitching staff includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yuki Matsui, who have reached at least the semi-finals in every WBC. The U.S. team will face Brazil, then face Britain, Mexico, and Italy in Houston.