2023 World Baseball Classic Betting Preview
One of the most unique events in all of sports takes place for the first time since 2017 when the best baseball players in the world throw down at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The United States has more baseball stars this go around than they did the last time these two played, but the U.S. is second choice to the Dominican Republic. Japan is also one of he top picks. Will one of those teams take it all? Or will a squad like Puerto Rico finally break through with a WBC victory? See below for the latest baseball odds, analysis, and free picks for the World Baseball Classic.
2023 World Baseball Classic Info
The World Baseball Classic is BACK!
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) July 7, 2022
March, 2023#WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/3lE3RLNBns
- When: Wednesday, Mar. 8 – Tuesday, Mar. 21
- Where: Japan, Taiwan, United States
- TV: Fox, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2
- Live Stream: FoxSports.com
Odds to Win the 2023 World Baseball Classic
- Dominican Republic +200
- USA +225
- Japan +350
- Puerto Rico +800
- Venezuela +1300
- Korea Republic +1400
- Cuba +1400
- Mexico +3500
- Netherlands +4000
- Chinese Taipei +4000
- Canada +5000
- Panama +6500
- Australia +6500
- Israel +8000
- Colombia +8000
- Italy +10000
- Great Britain +15000
- China +15000
- Nicaragua +20000
- Czech Republic +20000
2017 World Baseball Classic Recap
For the second straight World Baseball Classic, Puerto Rico found themselves in a final. Unfortunately, the result ended the same as it had in the previous WBC.
Puerto Rico fell to Team USA in 2017. At the World Baseball Classic before, the 2013 WBC, the Puerto Ricans lost to the Dominican Republic. Japan won the event in 2006 and 2009.
Top Pick to Win the 2023 World Baseball Classic
The field expanded to 20, but none of the new nations should compete with the Dominican Republic, Japan, and the United States.
Of those three teams, no doubt, the Dominican Republic looks strongest. The infield is a whose who of top Major League Baseball players.
Can you think of a better infield than Jeremy Pena, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Rafael Devers, and Willy Adames?
But the team is more than just the ridiculous infield. Juan Soto will play in the outfield. Gary Sanchez will be behind the plate and Sandy Alcantara will lead a rotation that includes Johnny Cueto and Framber Valdez. The Dominicans should win this tournament.
Second Top Pick to Win the 2023 World Baseball Classic
Shohei Ohtani will be a terror on the mound and at the plate, just like he is in MLB. But Shohei isn’t alone.
Munetaka Murakami hit 56 home runs in the Japanese League last season. He broke the record. No doubt, Murakami is a future MLB star.
So is Roki Sasaki who threw 17 straight scoreless innings last season. Almost as important? No team will be as cohesive of a squad as the Japanese, who won the gold medal at the 2021 Olympics.
Third Top Pick to Win the 2023 World Baseball Classic
No doubt, the defending champions are loaded. But the U.S. will have to play 7 times in 11 days and after group play, the knockout stage starts. Not only that, but it’s difficult to find an ace on the rotation. Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn are good pitchers. They aren’t aces, at least, not anymore. The U.S. can win, but it’s going to have to be at the plate and that won’t be easy considering the pitchers Japan and the Dominican Republic boast.
Top Underdog Pick to Win the 2023 World Baseball Classic
Things are going to have to break El Tri’s way for them to beat Japan and the Dominican Republic. But if it does, the Mexicans rate as this World Baseball Classic’s top underdog team.
This year, Mexico fields the best WBC squad it ever has. Julio Urias, Taijuan Walker, and Jose Urquidy are legit MLB starters.
Rowdy Tellez, Alejandro Kirk, and Randy Arozarena are fantastic at the plate. They’ll require help, but if it comes, who knows? Mexico is a legit underdog play.
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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.
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