Preview: Japan to face former MLB starter Wily Peralta

World No. 1 Japan will finish the Opening Round of the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS facing No. 12 Dominican Republic. Japan, the only undefeated team, will finish first in any case. The Dominicans would improve to 2-3 and could hope in a three-way tie for third place.

Japan chose right-hander Shosei Togo as their starter. The 24-year-old contributed to the title of Baseball World Champions Japan earned winning the 2023 World Baseball Classic and has pitched a no-hitter during the 2024 Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) season. He posted a 12-8 record for the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants.

The Dominican Republic will hand the ball to Wili Peralta, making his second start of the Premier12 2024. The Major League Baseball (MLB) veteran, over 250 games, 139 as a starter, pitched 5.1 innings against Cuba, ending with a no-decision.

Since 2011, the Dominican Republic has beaten Japan only once, in the U-12 Baseball World Cup 2022, 5-2. Cuba has won the remaining seven head-to-head, including in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Opening Round, 4-3, and the Premier12 2015, 4-2.