The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are set to open the 2024 MLB season on March 20.
The game won’t take place in the United States, though, nor Canada.
As part of the league’s continued efforts to take the game to international latitudes, it will be played in Seoul, South Korea.
The two squads in play were carefully chosen and are excellent options, as they have a long history of employing Asian players, even Korean stars like Ha-Seong Kim (currently on the Padres).
But there is a good chance two Japanese hurlers make history on that day, if the plan comes to fruition.
“Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Yu Darvish (@faridyu) could be the starting pitching matchup March 20 in Seoul. That would be the first @MLB Opening Day game ever started by two Japanese-born pitchers, per research by @keithcostas,” MLB insider Jon Morosi tweeted.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Yu Darvish (@faridyu) could be the starting pitching matchup March 20 in Seoul.
That would be the first @MLB Opening Day game *ever* started by two Japanese-born pitchers, per research by @keithcostas.
@MLBNetwork @MLBJapan @MLBKOR @Dodgers @Padres
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 29, 2024
According to Keith Costas, no Opening Day matchup has ever had Japanese starting pitchers for both teams.
The Seoul Series of 2024 could be the first of its kind in that regard.
Both Yamamoto and Darvish would have to avoid any injury scares and continue their ramping up process with no issues, but yes, the chances of having two Japanese starters for the first time on Opening Day are high.
Darvish, one of the most accomplished Japanese-born players in MLB, has a career 3.59 ERA and 103 wins.
He is coming off a 4.56 ERA in 2023 with the Padres.
Yamamoto, on the other hand, had a 1.21 ERA in 2023 with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan and will be pitching for the first time at the MLB level in 2024.
It will be a matchup for the ages.
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