MESA, Ariz. — Seiya Suzuki, set to play center field for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic this spring, has a couple goals when facing his Cubs teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong and Team USA.“I want to see Pete throw a helmet,” Suzuki said through Japanese interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “And if he hits the ball to center field, I want to make sure I catch it and dance on it.”The banter that characterized Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong’s home-run race last year has officially taken the international stage. And though the Cubs’ offense cooled in the second half after that long-ball battle helped power the Cubs to an impressive start, Suzuki went on a second tear down the stretch and into the playoffs.When asked about that strong finish — which included five home runs in the last four games of the season and another one to open the postseason — Suzuki was far more interested in discussing ways he could improve.“I wasn’t satisfied with the season last year,” he said.He zeroed in on his contact rate, which he wants to keep higher even when he’s hitting for slug. His batting average did drop to .245, as he launched 32 home runs, surpassing his previous career high by 11. And he said at times there was a disconnect between how his swing felt and what it looked like.“I spent some time in the offseason trying to get better at those things,” Suzuki said. “Looking back, it’s probably one of the best offseasons I’ve had.”This…
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