WATCH: Shohei Ohtani crushes a grand slam as Japan mercy ruled Chinese Taipei 13-0

If you needed a reminder of why Shohei Ohtani is the most captivating player on the planet, Friday night at the Tokyo Dome provided it in about four innings.

Japan opened their 2026 World Baseball Classic title defense with a 13-0 mercy rule win over Chinese Taipei and Ohtani was the show from the first pitch. In his first at-bat he ripped a double to set the tone. Second plate appearance, he cleared the bases with a grand slam that sent the Tokyo Dome into complete chaos.

Shohei Ohtani GRAND SLAM

SHOHEI OHTANI GRAND SLAM! #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC pic.twitter.com/z0BXjlYInF

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026

Bases loaded
Shohei Ohtani at the plate

What else did you expect? 🦄 pic.twitter.com/bfN2qheoRV

— MLB (@MLB) March 6, 2026

Third at-bat, a run-scoring single. Three for three with a home run, five RBIs, and a run scored before the game was even close to over. The stadium had been buzzing during batting practice just watching him take swings and then he went out and delivered exactly what everyone came to see.

Japan led 10-0 in the early innings and never looked back. The mercy rule ended it at 13-0 and Samurai Japan has made their intentions for this tournament completely clear. They are good. Really good. And Ohtani playing at this level from game one is a nightmare for every team in this bracket.

Know The Rules: World Baseball Classic Cheat Sheet

Here is the thing though. The last time the United States and Japan met in the World Baseball Classic championship, Ohtani came out of the bullpen in the ninth inning and struck out Mike Trout to end it. Mike Trout. One of the greatest hitters in American baseball history, struck out by his former Los Angeles Angels teammate to lose the gold.

That moment has lived rent free in the heads of American baseball fans for three years.

Team USA is a different animal this time. Aaron Judge is the captain. Bryce Harper is locked in. Kyle Schwarber is the glue guy. Paul Skenes. This is not a roster that is going to Japan and tipping its cap.

Watch Shohei Ohtani perform his magic. Enjoy it. He is the best player in the world and watching him on the international stage is a genuine privilege. But Team USA is out for blood and that championship rematch cannot get here fast enough. We have a score to settle.

Complete Schedule: 2026 World Baseball Classic

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