FUKUOKA -- The SubMarine will get a shot at the Chiba Lotte Marines this weekend. Submarine pitcher Shunsuke Watanabe is the projected starter for Japan's World Baseball Classic warmup against the Japan Series champion at Yahoo Dome, and although he is not thrilled about facing his teammates, he is ready for the challenge.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura
looks for the ball during a practice session of Japan's team
for the World Baseball Classic at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka.
"I am pitching against my own team, but it doesn't matter anymore," he said. "I am going to work to get in 100-percent top condition." Watanabe, who was 15-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 2005, has been touted as Japan's ace for the WBC and is expected to start against Korea on March 5 in Group A pool play, but first he has to get by Saburo Omura, Matt Franco and the rest of the Marines.