Team Japan WBC fans delighted by Lars Nootbar and Masataka Yoshida's combined excellence in dominant victory over rivals Korea

The Boston Red Sox took a big gamble this past offseason when they signed Masataka Yoshida to a 5-year deal worth $90 million. Despite being one of the NPB's greatest hitters, experts wondered how Yoshida would adapt to the MLB's style.

Whoever was waiting to get a glimpse at one of the Red Sox' biggest offseason moves got their chance on Thursday, March 10. The former Onix Buffaloes star was firing on all cylinders as Team Japan took on South Korea.

After beating China 8-1 in their opening game of the tournament, spirits were running high. Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani pitched 4 strikeout innings and had an RBI double in the decisive win.

After being upset by Australia, South Korea were looking to get back on track. Along with Australia, China, and Czechia, these two teams comprise Pool B of the World Baseball Classic.

"Domination for Team Japan. #WorldBaseballClassic" - @ World Baseball Classic

Masataka Yoshida hit 3 RBI singles, driving in 5 runs in total to accompany a pair of walks in Japan's resounding 13-4 win over South Korea. Boston Red Sox fans buzzed as the 29-year old native of Fukui shared an on-field salute with Shohei Ohtani after one of his RBI singles in the sixth inning.

St. Louis Cardinals youngster Lars Nootbar was also a focus of great fanfare. The 25-year old outfielder is on the team by virtue of his Japanese-born mother. A diving catch in center-field to rob San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-seong Kim is making the rounds on various highlight reels.

Masataka Yoshida brings a career batting average of .327, 133 home runs and 467 RBIs to the Red Sox. His multi-year contract was seen as a risky gamble by the Sox on a player without North-American experience.

The Red Sox finished last in their division in 2022, and are still reeling after stars such as Xander Bogaerts and JD Martinez departed the team in free agency this past offseason.

Team Japan's Masataka Yoshida and Lars Nootbar round out a solid core of the Japanese team

Along with Shohei Ohtani, these two players are making the opposition look incompetent so far in this tournament. Although there is plenty of baseball yet to be played, Team Japan is emerging as a powerful contender.

With North American games featuring the USA, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic set to start this weekend, fans will see just how stiff the competition will be later on.