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Japan's path to defending its World Baseball Classic title began Friday. And if the result was any indication, a back-to-back champion is certainly a possibility.
As Japan took down Chinese Taipei to open its WBC play, Shohei Ohtani simply did Shohei Ohtani things, stepping up to the big moment as he always has.
While he isn't pitching in the tournament, the four-time MVP and two-time World Series champion put on a show at the dish — including a grand slam. Japan wound up utilizing the WBC mercy rule vs. Chinese Taipei, ending the game in seven innings.
Here's a look at Ohtani's huge day at the plate against Chinese Taipei to open the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Shohei Ohtani stats today
- Hits-At Bats: 3-4
- RBIs: 5
- Runs: 1
- Walks: 0
- Strikeouts: 0
- Home Runs: 1
- Doubles: 1
- Total Bases: 7
Ohtani, who last appeared in a meaningful game in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, picked up where he left off. While Chinese Taipei's pitching staff wasn't exactly among the best in the 2026 WBC, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger showed no signs of a sluggish start to the tournament.
Going 3-4 on the day, Ohtani drove in five of Japan's 13 runs, including a grand slam and a double.
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Shohei Ohtani highlights today
The first pitch Ohtani saw should have been an indication of his performance; he roped a double off Chinese Taipei starter Hao-Chun Cheng.
Shohei Ohtani hits a 117.1 MPH double on the first pitch he sees at the #WorldBaseballClassic! pic.twitter.com/5bwySk253A
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026Shohei Ohtani is back on the World Baseball Classic stage 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rcwaFx6oDX
— MLB (@MLB) March 6, 2026By the end of the second inning, following his grand slam and another base hit, Ohtani was just a triple shy of the cycle.
Japan put up a 10-spot in the second inning alone, which was a new WBC record for most runs in an inning.
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026Shohei Ohtani grand slam
In the top of the second inning, Ohtani gave Japan its first WBC runs in a massive way. It didn't look like he needed a big swing, but just by poking a ball into right field, he swatted a grand slam.
SHOHEI OHTANI GRAND SLAM! #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC pic.twitter.com/z0BXjlYInF
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026— MLB (@MLB) March 6, 2026The fan who caught Ohtani's grand slam said "It’s the best time of my life.”
Shohei Ohtani’s grand slam ball went to Hikaro Kudo, who is here with his mother.
On what it means to have the ball:
“It’s the best time of my life.” pic.twitter.com/el39mIM6z4
MORE: Breaking down the mercy rule at the World Baseball Classic
Japan vs. Chinese Taipei score
Japan took down Chinese Taipei 13-0 in Friday's WBC opener, which resulted in the mercy rule of pool play coming into effect. Because Japan led by at least 10 runs after the seventh inning, the game ended in just seven frames.
Outside of Ohtani's strong day, his fellow Dodgers star, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, had a good day on the mound, starting and going 2.2 innings with three walks, two strikeouts and no runs allowed. Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida also went 2-3 with an RBI, while new Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami also drove in a run.
— MLB Español (@mlbespanol) March 6, 2026Japan's bullpen kept Chinese Taipei's bats quiet the rest of the way, and as a result, the defending champions got a 1-0 start in Pool C play.
— MLB (@MLB) March 6, 2026MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026:
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