Shohei Ohtani supercharges Tokyo Dome with a pair of RBIs in debut for Team Japan

When Shohei Ohtani announced that he would be representing his country at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, his team immediately became a fan favorite to win.

Since bursting into the MLB back in 2018, Shohei Ohtani has hit 127 home runs and 342 RBIs, all while garnering 441 strikeouts over 63 big-league starts. He is truly a a new breed of player who is revolutionizing the idea of how pivotal a two-way player can be.

Team Japan won the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic tournaments. Japanese baseball is traditionally very pitching-oriented, aimed at limiting runs against while resorting to "small ball techniques to score runs."

In pre-tournament play, the Los Angeles Angels star delighted crowds at the Kyocero Dome in Osaka. He hit a pair of 3-run home runs against the Hanshin Tigers of the NPB earlier this week.

Ohtani made his World Baseball Classic debut on March 9 against China PR in the second match of Pool B. The game is being held at the Tokyo Dome, where, earlier today, Australia squeaked past South Korea in a 8-7 upset. South Korea had been identified as the main opposition that Japan would face in first-round action.

Shohei Ohtani pitched the first four innings of the game, striking out 5 Chinese batters and allowing only one hit. However, it was not until the bottom of the fourth inning that Ohtani broke the game open.

Ohtani hit a base-clearing two-run double in the fourth, driving in teammates YongKang Kou and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbar. He followed up with another single and two walks to complete an 8-run game for Japan.

"Electric atmosphere at the Tokyo Dome." - @ MLB

A video taken of fans at Tokyo Dome has gained interest from fans who are not necessarily used to that level of passion at MLB games.

In Japanese baseball, the outfield is known as the "Oendan," which means "cheering section." It is usually located in the outfield area and is typically reserved for rabid home-town fans.

Shohei Ohtani's arm is Japan's biggest asset

Team Japan completed an 8-1 victory over China, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

Even if Japan can win their Pool, they will have to contend with big teams in later rounds such as the USA, who are captained by Shohei Ohtani's teammate Mike Trout.

Japan's next fixture will come against South Korea on March 10. After that, they will play Australia and Czechia. Manager Hideki Kuriyama may want to preserve Ohtani for later stages when they might need him more.