Preview: Top two ranked baseball nations collide at Tokyo Dome

No. 1 ranked Japan (2-0) and no. 2 ranked USA (0-2) will go head-to-head at the Tokyo Dome in the WBSC Premier12 Super Round tonight.

Japan maintained their perfect record at the 2019 Premier12 with a come-from-behind win over Australia last night in Chiba. Australia lead Japan until the seventh inning, but a bases-loaded strikeout and a squeeze play scored the winning run.

The US ran in to a dominant Korean team at the Tokyo Dome last night, falling 5-1 behind solid pitching and timely hitting. US starter Cody Ponce was chased after 3.1 innings after giving up five hits and three earned runs.

The last meeting between Japan and United States in a senior world level tournament took place during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, when the US won their semifinal game 2-1.

Japan send Rei Takahaski to the mound against the US after a dominant Opening Round performance. Takahashi allowed one hit in six innings of work against Puerto Rico, striking out three and picking up the win.

The US will counter with Tanner Houck, the fifth ranked Boston prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Despite striking out six in his first appearance, Houck was tagged with the loss after giving up two earned runs in 4.1 innings against Mexico.

First pitch from the Tokyo Dome is slated for 19:00 JST.