March 9th: China @ Japan, Tokyo, Japan
When Japan hosts China, Red Sox fan will get their first glimpse of Masataka Yoshida in a game that counts since he signed a 5-year 90M deal with the team this offseason. After arriving at spring training, Yoshida surprised coaches (subscription required) with his power. He has fully embraced the Red Sox culture meeting with several Red Sox legends including Jim Rice and Pedro Martinez. The Red Sox will need big things from Yoshida this season and this will be the first chance for fans to see him in a game that matters.
Team Japan will also feature megastar Shohei Ohtani whose free agency after this season is already dominating baseball coverage. After he signed an endorsement deal with Boston-based New Balance, Red Sox fans cannot help but dream that this might be a precursor to him signing with the team next off-season. He recently left spring training with the Angels and arrived in Japan in true rockstar fashion.