WBC fans react to Shohei Ohtani dominating on the offensive and defensive side in Team Japan's opener

Japanese phenomenon Shohei Ohtani has come out firing at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Japan played China in their first game of the tournament on Thursday at the Tokyo Dome. "Sho-time," as he is fittingly nicknamed, is giving the fans exactly what they came for.

The two-way sensation is once again leading by example. As we have come to expect from him, he is doing it on both the offensive and defensive front. China did well to keep the scoreline close over the first three innings before Ohtani stepped up to the plate in the fourth.

With Team Japan leading 1-0, Ohtani took a pitch from Weiyi Wang opposite field to give his team a commanding lead. The double resulted in Lars Nootbar and Kensuke Kondoh both scoring.

MLB fans took to Twitter to applaud Ohtani for another dominant performance.

The Ohtani lovefest continued with fans in awe of his stellar night. Ohtani did not disappoint on his return to Japan. He is proving that he can be a star not just in MLB, but on the international stage as well.

Shohei Ohtani is dominating on both the offensive and defensive front in Team Japan's opening game versus China

Shohei Ohtani of Japan is introduced prior to the World Baseball Classic exhibition game at Kyocera Dome Osaka

As he has done before with the Los Angeles Angels, the 28-year-old is carrying his team.

Ohtani started the game on the mound and took just 11 pitches to work a 1-2-3 first inning. He went on to complete four innings without allowing a run.

Overall, Ohtani threw 49 pitches and allowed just one hit. He struck out five Chinese hitters on the way.

Just as things were looking a little too close for comfort, the left-handed slugger took matters into his own hands. With Shohei Ohtani leading the way, Japan looks like one of the favorites to win a record third World Baseball Classic championship.