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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