World Baseball Classic

If it seems like it's been a while, well, it has. The last WBC came in 2017. Remember Marcus Stroman dealing for Team USA in Dodger Stadium in the championship ...

The bullpen has power arms like [Camilo Doval](/mlb/players/2822464/camilo-doval/) and [Rafael Montero](/mlb/players/2038824/rafael-montero/) along with plenty of depth. [Julio Rodriguez](/mlb/players/2931024/julio-rodriguez/), [Juan Soto](/mlb/players/2507367/juan-soto/), [Manny Machado](/mlb/players/1765812/manny-machado/), [Rafael Devers](/mlb/players/2165929/rafael-devers/), [Wander Franco](/mlb/players/2804232/wander-franco/), Jeremy Peña and it just keeps going (for real, they also have [Ketel Marte](/mlb/players/1963334/ketel-marte/), [Willy Adames](/mlb/players/2121050/willy-adames/), [Teoscar Hernandez](/mlb/players/2119659/teoscar-hernandez/) and more). [Sandy Alcantara](/mlb/players/2211794/sandy-alcantara/) and [Astros](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/HOU/houston-astros/) frontline starter [Cristian Javier](/mlb/players/2910637/cristian-javier/) head up the rotation that could also include wily veteran [Johnny Cueto](/mlb/players/288900/johnny-cueto/) and star prospect [Roansy Contreras](/mlb/players/2830097/roansy-contreras/). [Red Sox](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/BOS/boston-red-sox/) signee [Masataka Yoshida](/mlb/players/29041593/masataka-yoshida/) joins them, though unfortunately [Cubs](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/CHC/chicago-cubs/) right fielder [Seiya Suzuki](/mlb/players/27023012/seiya-suzuki/) has an [oblique injury and had to drop out](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-right-fielder-seiya-suzuki-withdraws-from-wbc-after-suffering-moderate-left-oblique-strain/). Some of the other big names: [Pete Alonso](/mlb/players/2447476/pete-alonso/), [Paul Goldschmidt](/mlb/players/1765052/paul-goldschmidt/), [Nolan Arenado](/mlb/players/1755142/nolan-arenado/), [Trea Turner](/mlb/players/2135249/trea-turner/), [Mookie Betts](/mlb/players/2106654/mookie-betts/), [Kyle Tucker](/mlb/players/2184352/kyle-tucker/), [Kyle Schwarber](/mlb/players/2135243/kyle-schwarber/) and, oh, this dude named [Mike Trout](/mlb/players/1739608/mike-trout/). The back-end of the bullpen will be stout, though, with the likes of [Ryan Pressly](/mlb/players/2029067/ryan-pressly/), [Devin Williams](/mlb/players/2066820/devin-williams/) and [Kendall Graveman](/mlb/players/2146204/kendall-graveman/) available to lock things down. Realmuto](/mlb/players/1947839/j-t-realmuto/) and [Will Smith](/mlb/players/1666825/will-smith/) are the top two catchers. [Alejandro Kirk](/mlb/players/2875260/alejandro-kirk/), [Alex Verdugo](/mlb/players/2167479/alex-verdugo/), [Randy Arozarena](/mlb/players/2914723/randy-arozarena/), [Rowdy Tellez](/mlb/players/2171831/rowdy-tellez/) and [Joey Meneses](/mlb/players/2218068/joey-meneses/). Molina is not a player-manager, but he has good defensive chops behind the plate in [Martin Maldonado](/mlb/players/1601825/martin-maldonado/) with capable backups [MJ Melendez](/mlb/players/2910600/mj-melendez/) and [Christian Vazquez](/mlb/players/1810924/christian-vazquez/). [Ha-Seong Kim](/mlb/players/26608279/ha-seong-kim/) and [Tommy Edman](/mlb/players/2914724/tommy-edman/) are the most well-known MLB players here. [MLB](/mlb/) talent like [Xander Bogaerts](/mlb/players/1945481/xander-bogaerts/), [Didi Gregorius](/mlb/players/1810724/didi-gregorius/), [Jurickson Profar](/mlb/players/1796123/jurickson-profar/), [Jonathan Schoop](/mlb/players/1840090/jonathan-schoop/) and [Andrelton Simmons](/mlb/players/1918584/andrelton-simmons/). The pitching staff is top heavy with [Julio Urias](/mlb/players/2073700/julio-urias/), [Jose Urquidy](/mlb/players/2228194/jose-urquidy/), [Taijuan Walker](/mlb/players/1757981/taijuan-walker/) and [Patrick Sandoval](/mlb/players/3077725/patrick-sandoval/).

Sure, you could bring up second baseman Robinson Cano's MVP performance in 2013, helping lift the Dominican Republic to its first WBC title, and you'd have an ...

Arraez led the AL in batting average last year, Perez has 71 homers the past two MLB seasons and Suarez has hit 31 homers each of the past two years. and the D.R. Behind Goldschmidt — the 2022 NL MVP — is Pete Alonso, who had 40 homers and 131 RBIs last year. McNeil led the NL in batting average in 2022. Behind Turner at shortstop is Tim Anderson, who has two All-Star nods and a combined .318 batting average the past four seasons. Second base and catcher would have to be considered the “weak” spots, but there’s still a ton of talent at both positions. Genda is an elite defensive shortstop, and Maki hit 24 homers last year, in his Age 24 season. We have Maldonado here as the starter because of the value he brings behind the plate — a veteran catcher in a short tournament like this feels exceptionally important — but rising Royals star M.J. Why they’re here: Lindor is elite, and Baez will hope to use the WBC to show that his 2022 was more of an aberration than his new normal. At first base/DH, Mexico has either left-handed hitter Rowdy Tellez (35 homers in 2022 for Milwaukee) or right-handed hitter Joey Meneses (165 OPS+ in 240 PAs last year for the Nationals). You could point to shortstop Brandon Crawford and first baseman Eric Hosmer turning in identical .385 batting averages for the USA in 2017, performances without which the U.S. — when he started pointing and celebrating even before the tag was applied?

Many of the game's top players have skipped the tournament in the past. But this year teams across the world are fielding strong rosters.

Whatever the reasons for the surge in participation, the US team competing in this year’s WBC is flush with MVPs and All-Stars. Altogether, more than half of the players nominated to the All-Star game last season will play in this year’s tournament. While this year’s team is of an inarguably high calibre, it is probably more accurate to say that the 2023 American team features the most distinguished lineup since the inaugural WBC in 2006. “[That’s] the whole reason I signed up: trying to win this thing,” It is similar to the reason why the very best NBA players often don’t play on the Olympic basketball team– there’s seemingly little to gain. [won the previous tournament in 2017](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/22/usa-crush-puerto-rico-world-baseball-classic) (the 2021 edition was cancelled owing to Covid). “I was recruiting as many guys as I could to get back on the team or play in other countries because I thought it was so great.” Even after the Baseball World Cup was discontinued in 2011, however, the WBC still failed to capitalize on its status. The tournament’s prolonged plateau is at least partly ascribable to the fact that US teams have always struggled to attract top-tier talent. “There’s more guys that want to [play on the US team this year].” Despite its status as America’s pastime, baseball is an undeniably global sport in a similar vein to cricket and rugby, both of which are widely seen to be “international” in nature compared to baseball. There’s something different about the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) this year.

The top two teams in each pool will advance and compete in an eight-team, bracket-style tournament for the championship. The semifinals and finals of the WBC ...

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The World Baseball Classic is back for the first time in six years. Here's what to know.

We said that pitching and defense would guide Puerto Rico over the United States, and we're sticking to it. It is, of course, presumptuous to assume that Ohtani would take the ball for Japan. [alluded to](https://theathletic.com/4255281/2023/02/27/world-baseball-classic-dominican-republic-lineup-projection/) as "the best lineup ever." The big question, then, is if South Korea has an ace who can quiet the D.R.'s lineup for a sizable chunk of innings. And especially if Stroman and the Díaz bothers all take the mound, it's easy to imagine Puerto Rico's pitching not giving USA hitters much to work with anyway. [on pitcher usage](https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-faq), including pitch counts for each of the rounds. The offense is less star-studded, but Randy Arozarena, Rowdy Tellez, Alex Verdugo and Isaac Paredes make for a solid core. There are also mercy rules in play for the first round of the tournament. Fans of MLB will recognize the names of infielders Yu Chang and Tzu-Wei Lin. For the first time in six years, the World Baseball Classic is back. The teams with the two best records will advance to the next round. The tournament will begin with five teams in four different pools (A, B, C and D), wherein round-robin, double-elimination tournaments will decide who moves on.

MLB teams brace for their stars to leave for WBC: 'I'm always worried' ... NORTH PORT, Fla. — Brian Snitker says he's not planning to obsess over the World ...

Soto is one of more than a dozen Padres headed to the tournament, and he is certainly not the only star. And the best possible position for the future of the tournament and even the future of the sport is having the best players in the world playing like it. The best possible position for that player’s WBC team may be different from the best possible position for his MLB team. The best possible position for one player is not the same for another. Would Trout or Acuña or anyone be able to tell themselves not to dive for a ball in the outfield if a catch would save runs in an elimination game? Indeed, most WBC-bound players will have played in at least a handful of exhibition games by the time they arrive in their countries’ camps. For example, while Clayton Kershaw eventually withdrew from Team USA because of insurance issues, he made clear that he never planned to pitch at max effort in the competition. Minasian will watch two of the best players in the world, two of the most carefully monitored and supervised bodies in baseball — two of the players most crucial to the success of his tenure in Anaheim — lead their countries. But MLB teams need their stars to make the championship runs their team owners pay for, their fans invest in and on which everyone’s jobs depend. Stars need to play in the still-young tournament to provide long-term interest and viability. The easiest way to protect stars from injury is not to let them participate in the once-every-four-years tournament, though many consider it a once-in-a-lifetime honor. Because for the next two weeks, Snitker and his colleagues around Major League Baseball will be watching somewhat helplessly as their stars get the rare chance to represent their countries, stuck hoping that playing competitive games so soon will not disrupt those players’ routines.

Players from Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic and more will join stacked rosters throughout the international event.

The Astros are one of the most represented MLB teams in the 2023 WBC, sending 11 players from their projected Opening Day roster. The event, which takes place every four years at stadiums throughout the globe, features teams from 20 nations and players across Major League Baseball representing their home countries. this month took a big hit Monday as players [departed for the World Baseball Classic.](https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/dusty-baker-world-baseball-classic-17805598.php)

The World Baseball Classic is nearly here. For the first time in six years, all the world's greatest players will face off with pride, bragging rights and ...

The MVP of Pool D in the 2017 tournament is back to man the middle of the infield and perhaps finally lead Puerto Rico to a World Baseball Classic championship. That should provide a huge boon to Venezuela, which has just one third-place finish to its name in the previous four tournaments. Don’t just look out for his arm, though: The Yankees pitcher showed off a fresh pair of Nicaragua-themed cleats that he planned to wear in Miami. His team has agreed to post him to MLB following the 2023 KBO season, so the last thing for Lee to accomplish for Korea is to bring a World Baseball Classic title home. One of the very first players to announce his intention to participate, Pederson won’t be pulling on the Israel jersey for the first time. Rodríguez smashed 28 home runs, stole 25 bases -- the first rookie to post a 25/25 season since Trout in 2012 -- and posted a 147 OPS+, good for 47 percent better than league average. But his skill will be felt beyond just his place in the lineup: Team leaders said he was hard at work recruiting his fellow players to join the club leading up to March. He’ll look to do well at the World Baseball Classic as a springboard to stick in the Major Leagues. Ohtani is expected to start the first game for Japan on the mound and hit at the tournament, so Japan may go just as far as its superstar can take them. But with the chance to advance on the line, Schneider took the ball for 6 1/3 innings, striking out five while allowing just one run to upset Spain and send the Czech Republic to its first World Baseball Classic. For the first time in World Baseball Classic history, Cuba will be playing with Major League talent on its roster. What player could make the difference between an early trip back home and a spot in the semifinals in Miami?

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Astros said goodbye Monday to their final three participants in the World Baseball Classic, with catcher Martín Maldonado, ...

[Brian McTaggart](mailto:[email protected]) has covered the Astros since 2004, and for MLB.com since 2009. Brown registered the hardest average slider in the Majors last year at 93.2 mph, just ahead of Jacob deGrom (92.6), but command is the key. “It’s one of the best tournaments I’ve ever played in in my career.” The Astros have Brown struck out a pair of batters and allowed one hit in the first inning against the Cardinals on Monday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium before walking three consecutive batters to start the second inning. “Since I remember, probably [as a] 10-, 11-year-old kid, I was trying to make the Venezuelan team to go to the world championships and stuff,” he said. “We didn’t want to take him out, but his pitch count got high early,” Baker said. “I threw some good pitches and they fouled them off and then I lost them. Altuve played for Team Venezuela in the 2017 WBC. That means eight Astros players will be competing against each other in Miami. Maldonado will be playing in his second WBC, having represented Puerto Rico in 2013. 1 prospect](https://www.mlb.com/prospects/astros/hunter-brown-686613) who will likely be in the rotation to start the season, was clearly frustrated.

Nolan Arenado wants the World Baseball Classic to grow into a global event with stature approaching soccer's World Cup. “I feel like the hype is a little ...

And I think a big piece of that is a credit to the professionalism of the staffs of the various countries and you can actually work with the WBC staff in a way that allows the player to get ready.” The United States’ 8-0 win over Puerto Rico in the 2017 championship game was seen by 2.3 million on MLB Network plus an additional 800,000 on ESPN Deportes and a Spanish-language simulcast on ESPN2. “Last WBC, I was kind of on the fence of doing it and not doing it, and when I decided not to do it, watching the games, I kind of regretted I didn’t do it,” said Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a three-time MVP who leads the U.S. “I think that the change this year is we have seen less resistance from clubs in terms of making players available and actually meaning it in terms of their availability to play. The semifinals will be in Miami on March 19 and 20, and the championship is at Marlins Park on March 21 — nine days before opening day of the MLB season. “I know it’s not the World Cup, but just watching the World Cup and how awesome that was just to represent your country ...

An overview of the 2023 World Baseball Classic schedule and team pools, and how to watch and stream the 47 tournament games.

TBD vs. Canada vs. Israel vs. Fox Sports will have exclusive coverage of all 47 tournament games across FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes, Tubi and the FOX Sports app in the U.S. Venezuela vs. Standing in their way of a potential repeat are the Dominican Republic, the betting favorites, and Japan. Italy vs. At that point, the tournament will become a single-elimination format. China vs. Japan vs. Opening rounds will take place in Tokyo, Taiwan, Miami and Phoenix from March 7-18. A total of 67 MLB All-Stars and 186 players on 40-man rosters are expected to participate in the international tournament.

If the bats deliver and the uber-deep bullpen holds serve, look out. Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and NESN. He previously worked ...

[Mookie Betts](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/mookie-betts-player), [Mike Trout](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/mike-trout-player) and [Kyle Tucker](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/kyle-tucker-player), then an infield with [Nolan Arenado](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/nolan-arenado-player), [Tim Anderson](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/tim-anderson-player), [Jeff McNeill](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/jeff-mcneil-player) and [Paul Goldschmidt](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/paul-goldschmidt-player) with [J.T. [United States](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/usa-team) [to win World Baseball Classic (+275 at FOX Bet)](https://amaya.onelink.me/68td?pid=Cross_Sale&c=FOX_Sports_ALL&is_retargeting=true&af_dp=foxbetuspa%3A%2F%2F&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Ffoxbet.com%2F%3Fsource%3D19259167&af_adset=Sports&af_ad=three-hot-world-baseball-classic-futures-to-make-today&af_sub1=Article&af_sub2=ALL&af_sub4=19259167&af_sub5=Editorial) [told FOX Sports last Friday](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/a-bookmakers-take-on-the-2023-world-baseball-classic-field), the Americans have depth at every single position. [Ronald Acuna Jr](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/ronald-acuna-jr-player). Realmuto](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/jt-realmuto-player) behind the plate. Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and NESN. If you thought for one second that I was going to root against my home country, you’re out of your mind. The Venezuelans will likely throw [Puerto Rico](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/puerto-rico-team), [Israel](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/israel-team) and [Nicaragua](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/nicaragua-team). Just to give you some context, the They’ve finished in fourth place in the last two tournaments, and they know what it takes to make a run. He smashed four homers, drove in 12 runs and posted a 1.792 OPS in the last tournament.

First WBC tournament since 2017 features 20 international teams.

‘9-1-1’ Boss Breaks Down Cliffhanger](https://www.tvinsider.com/1084221/911-season-6-episode-10-buck-lightning-struck-alive-dead/) [5‘History of the World’ Sequel, HBO’s ‘Perry Mason’ Returns, New Coaches on The Voice, Lightning Strikes on ‘9-1-1’](https://www.tvinsider.com/1083984/history-of-the-world-mel-brooks-perry-mason-the-voice-9-1-1/) (Royals) 10/9 c: Pool C: United States at Colombia (Phoenix), FS1 Catchers: Kyle Higashioka (Yankees), J.T. 10/9 c: Pool C: Canada at United States (Phoenix), FS1 10/9 c: Pool C: Mexico at United States (Phoenix), FS1

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels superstar Mike Trout went 0-for-2 as designated hitter in a 6-0 win against the Guardians on Monday in his final Cactus League game ...

“It had been almost two years since I’d been in a game, so really, it was just about getting out there and getting comfortable on the mound and getting into a game setting,” Canning said. But it was a good thing for me to be around the team last year at least, so coming back into the clubhouse to be a part of things wasn't completely foreign. I wasn’t as sharp was I wanted to be with a few pitches, but it was more about getting out there and getting comfortable.” Canning said he believes he has a routine that can keep him healthy in 2023, as he’s incorporated different ways to keep his back strong, including Pilates and soft tissue work. He struck out two, allowed two singles and induced a double-play grounder in the second inning. After the exhibition games against the Giants and Angels, Team USA begins World Baseball Classic play on Saturday against Team Great Britain at Chase Field in Phoenix. But there's a lot of great countries out there and we'll see how it goes.” Trout, who is serving as the captain for Team USA, batted .286 (4-for-14) with two doubles and two RBIs in six games this spring to get ready for the Classic. If Team USA advances out of Pool C, as expected, they would play the quarterfinals at Miami’s loanDepot park, where the semifinals and final will also take place. It’ll give Trout a chance to face his teammates, with lefty Tyler Anderson set to start for the Angels. “I'm looking forward to it,” Trout said. “Just getting ramped up playing seven innings and getting four at-bats in a game yesterday.

Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani of Japan, and Miguel Cabrera and Jose Altuve, both from Venezuela, are among seven Major League Baseball MVPs on 30-man rosters.

And I think a big piece of that is a credit to the professionalism of the staffs of the various countries and you can actually work with the WBC staff in a way that allows the player to get ready.” The United States’ 8-0 win over Puerto Rico in the 2017 championship game was seen by 2.3 million on MLB Network plus an additional 800,000 on ESPN Deportes and a Spanish-language simulcast on ESPN2. “Last WBC, I was kind of on the fence of doing it and not doing it, and when I decided not to do it, watching the games, I kind of regretted I didn’t do it,” said Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a three-time MVP who leads the U.S. “I think that the change this year is we have seen less resistance from clubs in terms of making players available and actually meaning it in terms of their availability to play. The semifinals will be in Miami on March 19 and 20, and the championship is at Marlins Park on March 21 — nine days before opening day of the MLB season. “I know it’s not the World Cup, but just watching the World Cup and how awesome that was just to represent your country ...

PEORIA, Ariz. -- On a brutally hot day last July at Nationals Park, one of the Mariners' faces of yesteryear approached the one who is becoming that of the ...

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Many current and former Red Sox players are set to take the field in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, begging several questions beforehand.

They give a good reputation to being a catcher, so the kids want to be there too.” Skipper [Alex Cora is aware](https://nesn.com/2023/02/alex-cora-wants-masataka-yoshida-to-give-message-to-team-japan-before-wbc/) of this and relayed a message to Yoshida before taking off for WBC festivities. Nevertheless, when Vázquez does get the nod, there will be a pressure element in place. Vázquez will play successor to now-retired MLB great Yadier Molina, who will manage the team this year. [Red Sox reportedly a hefty amount](https://nesn.com/2022/12/red-sox-announce-signing-of-masataka-yoshida-on-five-year-contract/) to sign Yoshida from Japan this past offseason. Verdugo also represented Mexico during the last WBC in 2017. Verdugo hit .280 with 11 homers and 74 RBIs last season while also recording a .981 fielding percentage in 152 games during his third year with the Red Sox. He has always had a great attitude but I think, physically, it’s a lot different than last year and I do believe he feels a lot better than the last few years.” As opposed to a much smaller sample size in meaningless preseason innings, the WBC provides more of an October-like feel. The rosters feature the best players willing to partake in the event rather than a lineup mix of big league and minor league talents. And as mentioned before, the WBC is a much more intense environment than spring training. This month, 20 teams will battle for the WBC crown while also serving as featured representatives of both their respective MLB teams and native homelands.

The tournament expanded to 20 teams this year and underwent a format change to accomodate the expansion. Teams will now play four games in pool play, compared ...

Championship game: Semifinal 1 winner vs. Semifinal 2: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner Semifinal 1: Game 1 winner vs. Pool C winner vs. Pool D winner vs. Pool B winner vs. March 10 Pool A winner vs. 10 p.m. March 11 11 p.m.

Japan and the Dominican Republic have the best pitching staffs -- and Roki Sasaki in particular is the player I'm most excited to watch in this entire ...

Machado must still be wondering how Adam Jones robbed him of a home run in the 2017 WBC, but this time he does enough to lead his team to the title, capturing MVP honors in the process. If Korea and Japan played 10 times, Japan may win 7 of them, but in this one game, winner-take-all event, I give it to Korea by the slightest margin. With its own somewhat under-the-radar talent, Korea reaches the final, but the D.R. Will I quickly regret not picking either the United States or the Dominican Republic -- arguably the top two teams in the tournament -- to even make the championship game? Japan will win its third title in the World Baseball Classic by defeating the Dominican Republic in a spectacular game. and others ( Take all that talent, plus the fact that they have been training together for way longer than other superpowers like Team USA and the Dominican Republic, and there’s my favorite to win the Classic for a third time. But since America’s starting pitching lags far behind that of Japan and the Dominican Republic, it’s pretty easy for me to get to a final pairing, and who wouldn’t want to see “very clearly the best starting pitching” (Japan) against “ [maybe the best lineup of all time](https://theathletic.com/4255281/2023/02/27/world-baseball-classic-dominican-republic-lineup-projection/)” (Dominican)? Japan and the Dominican Republic have the best pitching staffs -- and Roki Sasaki in particular is the player I'm most excited to watch in this entire tournament -- but the USA lineup is going to outslug both of them. They have a reigning Cy Young winner leading their staff, they have an infield and outfield fit for an All-Star team, they have a bullpen full of World Series-winning arms. I expect this Dominican Republic team to dominate, and there were so many options for a potential MVP, which speaks to that depth. While Japan, the United States and the Dominican Republic are drawing a lot of attention, Venezuela might be the best team nobody is talking about, especially after Ronald Acuña Jr.

It has been six years since the last WBC, when the United States won its first title in a victory against Puerto Rico in the final round. Starting on March 7 ...

March 12 March 11 March 10 12 p.m. 10 p.m. Quarterfinal 2 winner vs. 11 p.m. Quarterfinal 1 winner vs. Pool D runner-up vs. Pool C runner-up vs. Pool A runner-up vs. Pool B runner-up vs.

The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks how you are feeling about the WBC.

(And it’s totally fine to be an American and cheer for a team other than Team USA.) Maybe your fandom is that you enjoy it and your glad it exists, but it’s not a big deal for you. So at the risk of hurting my feelings, tonight, I’m going to ask you your impression of the WBC. Of course, you can use BCB After Dark if you want to say something about any of the games. Please get home safely—we want to see you again tomorrow night for another edition of BCB After Dark. I’m not going to tell you you have to watch. Hopefully some of you who aren’t fans of it will get converted over the next two weeks. Shorter always at the center of the story of the last sixty years of jazz. In particular, I’m asking you about the iconic spy, the ne plus ultra of cinematic espionage, James Bond. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon. You’re free to skip ahead to the baseball question at the end. But tonight, tell us who your favorite Bond is from the 25 “canonical” Eon Films. By a vote of 56 percent to 44, you chose Tauchman’s power over DeLuzio’s speed.

Other rules, such as the Manfred runner in extra innings and replay, will be in effect. Here's what to know about the ruleset of the World Baseball Classic.

These rules, however, will not be present at the World Baseball Classic, and bases will be their traditional size. The shift, meanwhile, will force teams to keep two players on each side of second and all infielders must have both feet within the infield. The emphasis on pitch count isn't even especially new, especially for games being played in March. The games, all in all, will be very similar to games we've seen in MLB years past. This will not carry on past pool play, however, and teams will have a chance to make a comeback. All teams will have a DH in play, which is almost a necessity with the rosters being fielded. Henceforth it will be referred to here as the Manfred runner, but it may go by other names. In the semifinals and finals, managers can request two reviews per game. With that in mind, each round of the WBC has rules for how many pitches a player can throw, in addition to rest rules. MLB implemented this rule in 2020 to help pace of play. There will be some gamesmanship with pitcher usage, as those rest days could loom especially large for teams looking to use pitchers on back-to-back days. Pitchers are under strict pitch limits to preserve their arms, and position players under contract can't pitch no matter what the score is.

The World Baseball Classic opens Wednesday at Taichung, Taiwan, when the Netherlands plays Cuba and Panama faces Taiwan. Group C of the 20-nation tournament ...

And I think a big piece of that is a credit to the professionalism of the staffs of the various countries and you can actually work with the WBC staff in a way that allows the player to get ready.” “Last WBC, I was kind of on the fence of doing it and not doing it, and when I decided not to do it, watching the games, I kind of regretted I didn’t do it,” said Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a three-time MVP who leads the U.S. The semifinals will be in Miami on March 19 and 20, and the championship is at Marlins Park on March 21 — nine days before opening day of the MLB season. The United States’ 8-0 win over Puerto Rico in the 2017 championship game was seen by 2.3 million on MLB Network plus an additional 800,000 on ESPN Deportes and a Spanish-language simulcast on ESPN2. “I think that the change this year is we have seen less resistance from clubs in terms of making players available and actually meaning it in terms of their availability to play. “I know it’s not the World Cup, but just watching the World Cup and how awesome that was just to represent your country ... Group B of the expanded 20-nation field starts the following day in Tokyo, with Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Japan and South Korea competing for two quarterfinal berths. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani of Japan, and Miguel Cabrera and Jose Altuve, both from Venezuela, are among seven Major League Baseball MVPs on 30-man rosters. Louis man charged in quadruple fatal crash; police say he ran off with his license plate](/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-man-charged-in-quadruple-fatal-crash-police-say-he-ran-off-with-his/article_cf35ed10-d689-5b8c-94b6-231a4288476c.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) [4 killed, 4 critically injured in crash at South Grand Boulevard and Forest Park Avenue](/news/local/crime-and-courts/4-killed-4-critically-injured-in-crash-at-south-grand-boulevard-and-forest-park-avenue/article_448d16da-e1f0-5b5d-9d26-e98b24e36a04.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) [St. ‘Seriously underwater.’](/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-prosecutor-s-staff-down-by-nearly-half-as-caseloads-jump-seriously-underwater/article_11520815-e7b1-57f4-8f3e-d51137a44d75.html#tracking-source=mp-in-article) I don’t know if it will get quite there, but get it close at least.” There’s more guys that want to do it,” the St.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic is upon us, which means two weeks of competitive baseball leading into MLB Opening Day on March 30.

FS2 Venezuela vs. FS2 Israel vs. FS1 Australia vs. FS1 Mexico vs. FS1 Venezuela vs. FS1 Netherlands vs. FS2 Dominican Republic vs. FS1 Italy vs. FS1 Panama vs. Matchup Pool Time Channel Panama vs. FS1 Great Britain vs. FS2 Australia vs.

Other rules, such as the Manfred runner in extra innings and replay, will be in effect. Here's what to know about the ruleset of the World Baseball Classic.

These rules, however, will not be present at the World Baseball Classic, and bases will be their traditional size. The shift, meanwhile, will force teams to keep two players on each side of second and all infielders must have both feet within the infield. The emphasis on pitch count isn't even especially new, especially for games being played in March. The games, all in all, will be very similar to games we've seen in MLB years past. This will not carry on past pool play, however, and teams will have a chance to make a comeback. All teams will have a DH in play, which is almost a necessity with the rosters being fielded. Henceforth it will be referred to here as the Manfred runner, but it may go by other names. In the semifinals and finals, managers can request two reviews per game. With that in mind, each round of the WBC has rules for how many pitches a player can throw, in addition to rest rules. MLB implemented this rule in 2020 to help pace of play. There will be some gamesmanship with pitcher usage, as those rest days could loom especially large for teams looking to use pitchers on back-to-back days. Pitchers are under strict pitch limits to preserve their arms, and position players under contract can't pitch no matter what the score is.

Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani of Japan, and Miguel Cabrera and Jose Altuve, both from Venezuela, are among seven Major League Baseball MVPs on 30-man rosters.

And I think a big piece of that is a credit to the professionalism of the staffs of the various countries and you can actually work with the WBC staff in a way that allows the player to get ready.” “Last WBC, I was kind of on the fence of doing it and not doing it, and when I decided not to do it, watching the games, I kind of regretted I didn’t do it,” said Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a three-time MVP who leads the U.S. “I think that the change this year is we have seen less resistance from clubs in terms of making players available and actually meaning it in terms of their availability to play. The semifinals will be in Miami on March 19 and 20, and the championship is at Marlins Park on March 21 — nine days before opening day of the MLB season. “I know it’s not the World Cup, but just watching the World Cup and how awesome that was just to represent your country ... Group B of the expanded 20-nation field starts the following day in Tokyo, with Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Japan and South Korea competing for two quarterfinal berths.

Baseball's premier international championship tournament opens Tuesday night when Cuba and the Netherlands open World Baseball Classic play.

The Czech Republic (+30000) faces the longest odds to win the World Baseball Classic. Pool A runner-up-Pool B winner quarterfinal winner vs. Pool B runner-up-Pool A winner quarterfinal winner vs. Pool C winner, 7 p.m. Pool D winner, 7 p.m. Pool C runner-up vs. Pool B winner, 6 a.m. [Dominican Republic](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/08/dominican-republic-wbc-roster-2023-world-baseball-classic-full-team/11423340002/) in 2013. The 16 teams that competed in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, and four additional qualifiers (Czech Republic, Great Britain, Nicaragua and Panama) were added to the 2023 field. Pool A runner-up vs. Pool B runner-up vs. [Mike Trout](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/09/mike-trout-team-usa-world-baseball-classic/11436183002/) will play for the U.S., while his MLB teammate Shohei Ohtani will play for Japan.

The World Baseball Classic is finally back! Since the 2021 tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been six years since the last ...

and Anthony Santander is also an area of strength, and Arraez could also see time in the grass. The offense has some quality bats led by Gio Urshela (LAA) and Harold Ramírez (TB), and the roster also features a handful of players from the 2022 Caribbean Series-winning Caimanes de Barranquilla, so this is a team to watch outside the top 10 in these rankings. Left-hander Roenis Elías (CHC) has a 3.96 ERA in 395.2 career MLB innings and is the most notable arm on the staff. With Tommy Edman (STL) and Ha-Seong Kim (SD) setting the table and KBO MVP Jung Hoo Lee (142 G, .349/.421/.575, 23 HR, 113 RBI) driving them in, the Team Korea lineup will be tough. The pitching staff will be anchored by Cal Quantrill (CLE), though they were dealt a blow when Nick Pivetta (BOS) decided to withdraw. Louis Cardinals left-hander Kwang Hyun Kim returned to the KBO in 2022 and finished 13-3 with a 2.13 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 173.1 innings. That duo will anchor the Chinese Taipei lineup alongside MLB infielder Yu Chang (BOS), and with home-field advantage in a relatively weak Pool A, don't be surprised if they advance out of pool play. The offense will be anchored by Joc Pederson (SF) and Alex Dickerson, while prospects Zack Gelof (OAK) and Matt Mervis (CHC) will also be asked to drive in runs. That lineup will likely need to lead the way with a thin pitching staff led by veteran starter Matt Harvey, swingman Andre Pallante (STL) and reliever Matt Festa (SEA). The infield of Xander Bogaerts, Jonathan Schoop, Andrelton Simmons and Didi Gregorius will again be the strength of the roster for Team Netherlands, while slugger Wladimir Balentien has hit 502 home runs across 20 professional seasons. A high school geography teacher and a firefighter are among the players on the Team Panama is a dark horse to advance out of Pool A.

The best players around the world are gathering for the WBC starting Tuesday night. Who are the best of the best?

[Yordan Alvarez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36018/yordan-alvarez), [Jose Abreu](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33095/jose-abreu), [Lourdes Gurriel Jr](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36040/lourdes-gurriel-jr). [Yu Darvish](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32055/yu-darvish). [Cincinnati Reds](/mlb/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-reds) in 2020 and 2021, Suarez was essentially a salary dump throw-in to the [Seattle Mariners](/mlb/team/_/name/sea/seattle-mariners) in the [Jesse Winker](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32833/jesse-winker) trade. Robert, [Chicago White Sox](/mlb/team/_/name/chw/chicago-white-sox) teammate [Yoan Moncada](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33984/yoan-moncada) and Mets' [Yoenis Cespedes](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32080/yoenis-cespedes) headline the roster. and [Yandy Diaz](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33481/yandy-diaz), will not be playing. [Cristian Javier](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/41261/cristian-javier), [Johnny Cueto](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/28955/johnny-cueto) and [Roansy Contreras](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/40967/roansy-contreras) along with a deep, hard-throwing bullpen that includes the [Houston Astros](/mlb/team/_/name/hou/houston-astros) trio of [Rafael Montero](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32631/rafael-montero), [Bryan Abreu](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/41208/bryan-abreu) and [Hector Neris](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32377/hector-neris). [Los Angeles Dodgers](/mlb/team/_/name/lad/los-angeles-dodgers) have a history of good catchers: Roy Campanella in the 1950s, Johnny Roseboro in the 1960s, Steve Yeager and Joe Ferguson in the 1970s, Mike Scioscia in the 1980s, Mike Piazza in the 1990s, Paul Lo Duca and Russell Martin in the 2000s, [Yasmani Grandal](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30950/yasmani-grandal) in the late 2010s and now Smith. [Cleveland Guardians](/mlb/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-guardians). 1 in our WBC Power Rankings](/mlb/story/_/id/35768551/world-baseball-classic-ranking-usa-dominican-republic-puerto-rico). [Vladimir Guerrero Jr](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/35002/vladimir-guerrero-jr). [Jose Ramirez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32801/jose-ramirez) isn't playing, so that least saves Dominican manager Rodney Linares from the headache of choosing between Machado, Ramirez or [Rafael Devers](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33859/rafael-devers) as his third baseman. is the defending champ, although [Marcus Stroman](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32815/marcus-stroman), the 2017 WBC MVP, will be pitching for Puerto Rico this time around.

Mark DeRosa tells us about his stacked roster and why he expects Team USA to win it all in the World Baseball Classic.

All of a sudden they get a new manager, a new voice in the room, and I don’t know if it unlocked the clubhouse or what, but it was like a perfect storm. You wake up in mid-June and you think, “Half of what I was doing was eyewash to make it feel like I gave it all that I had.” But you really don’t need all that. I talked to the first baseman Derek Lee like a day after and he said, “You’re gonna realize how little you have to hit to be successful.” Because the batting cage was under the right field stands at Wrigley Field and locked and you had no access to it during the games. So I’m interested to see what players do under these circumstances, but overall I think the pace of the game and more base hits will be better for the MLB product. It was the second time it was played and I think we went in — “unprepared” is not fair, but just not aware of how you would need to get ready to pull something like this off. We honestly didn’t know what this was to become in 2009 when I played in the WBC. He treated it as: “Team.” The front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back, the hot hand is gonna play and we’re gonna try and win this thing. I got a call from Team USA’s general manager Tony Reagins asking me if I’d like to interview for a chance to be the manager and I thought, “What an opportunity.” I’d tip-toed into a few managerial interviews in the past. Jim Leyland was my first phone call when I got the job of manager, because he had managed the 2017 team and led them to the championship. I know it will not be easy, but my expectation when we kick off on the 11th is to snatch souls. I have a ton of respect for the other countries. I’ve spoken with every pitching coach of every pitcher we have on the team; I’ve spoken to them about how they want to be used, how can we return them back to you healthy, what makes this guy tick.

This year's tournament features an expanded field of teams, from 16 to 20, ranging from perennial powerhouses to first-time participants.

ET) And the last time it was played, in 2017, Team USA won for the first time. In 2013, the Dominican Republic went undefeated — the only team to do so in the tournament’s relatively short history — en route to its first WBC title. Japan was the first-ever tournament winner, beating Cuba in the final to capture the title in 2006, and winning again in 2009. There are seven rules that determine a player’s eligibility to play for a certain team. The top two teams from each pool by winning percentage, eight in total, move on to the quarterfinals, which are sudden death (this is a change from 2017 when the quarterfinals also followed the round-robin format). Pool A winner (6 a.m. For the first round, Pool A will play in Taichung, Taiwan, at the Intercontinental Baseball Stadium. The tournament starts on March 8 (though the first game, which will be played in Taiwan, starts at 11 p.m. Here’s what you need to know. It’s been five years since Team USA blanked Team Puerto Rico 8-0 to win its first-ever World Baseball Classic title. Each team meets once in the first round.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic is upon us, which means two weeks of competitive baseball leading into MLB Opening Day on March 30.

FS2 Venezuela vs. FS2 Puerto Rico vs. FS2 Israel vs. Israel D Noon FS2 Mexico vs. Venezuela D Noon FS2 Canada vs. FS1 Australia vs. FS1 Mexico vs. FS1 Venezuela vs. FS1 Canada vs. FS2 Dominican Republic vs. FS1 Netherlands vs. Nicaragua D Noon FS2 Colombia vs.

The best players around the world are gathering for the WBC starting Tuesday night. Who are the best of the best?

[Yordan Alvarez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36018/yordan-alvarez), [Jose Abreu](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33095/jose-abreu), [Lourdes Gurriel Jr](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/36040/lourdes-gurriel-jr). [Yu Darvish](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32055/yu-darvish). [Cincinnati Reds](/mlb/team/_/name/cin/cincinnati-reds) in 2020 and 2021, Suarez was essentially a salary dump throw-in to the [Seattle Mariners](/mlb/team/_/name/sea/seattle-mariners) in the [Jesse Winker](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32833/jesse-winker) trade. Robert, [Chicago White Sox](/mlb/team/_/name/chw/chicago-white-sox) teammate [Yoan Moncada](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33984/yoan-moncada) and Mets' [Yoenis Cespedes](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32080/yoenis-cespedes) headline the roster. and [Yandy Diaz](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33481/yandy-diaz), will not be playing. [Cristian Javier](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/41261/cristian-javier), [Johnny Cueto](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/28955/johnny-cueto) and [Roansy Contreras](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/40967/roansy-contreras) along with a deep, hard-throwing bullpen that includes the [Houston Astros](/mlb/team/_/name/hou/houston-astros) trio of [Rafael Montero](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32631/rafael-montero), [Bryan Abreu](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/41208/bryan-abreu) and [Hector Neris](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32377/hector-neris). [Los Angeles Dodgers](/mlb/team/_/name/lad/los-angeles-dodgers) have a history of good catchers: Roy Campanella in the 1950s, Johnny Roseboro in the 1960s, Steve Yeager and Joe Ferguson in the 1970s, Mike Scioscia in the 1980s, Mike Piazza in the 1990s, Paul Lo Duca and Russell Martin in the 2000s, [Yasmani Grandal](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30950/yasmani-grandal) in the late 2010s and now Smith. [Cleveland Guardians](/mlb/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-guardians). 1 in our WBC Power Rankings](/mlb/story/_/id/35768551/world-baseball-classic-ranking-usa-dominican-republic-puerto-rico). [Vladimir Guerrero Jr](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/35002/vladimir-guerrero-jr). [Jose Ramirez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32801/jose-ramirez) isn't playing, so that least saves Dominican manager Rodney Linares from the headache of choosing between Machado, Ramirez or [Rafael Devers](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33859/rafael-devers) as his third baseman. is the defending champ, although [Marcus Stroman](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32815/marcus-stroman), the 2017 WBC MVP, will be pitching for Puerto Rico this time around.

March's best sports tournament is back this week. No, I'm not talking about NCAA basketball—the World Baseball Classic is sneakily, tremendously fun, and I ...

and Venezuela as group favorites, ahead of the back-to-back runner-ups—as long as Venezuela doesn’t start the 39-year-old Cabrera in his international swan song over one of the much better, younger options on the roster. It boasts one of the WBC’s top catchers (Salvador Perez) and outfielders (Ronald Acuña Jr.). But the 2023 Puerto Rican roster is missing Correa—for the birth of his child, not because of his ankle—while Báez is coming off a terrible season in Detroit. Frankly, the prospect of watching Yamamoto and Sasaki face MLB’s best has me so excited that I initially glossed over the fact that Ohtani is in this rotation too. Yamamoto is the back-to-back winner of the Sawamura award (NPB’s Cy Young equivalent) and boasts a 1.54 ERA over the last two seasons. [insurance issue](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35681437/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-says-disappointing-miss-wbc) and hamstring injury, respectively, pushed the southpaws out of the rotation. For comparison, 18 of the top 30 position players (60 percent) are on WBC rosters, including eight of the top 10. will have to match the best starters that other countries have to offer with, charitably, a group of no. The U.S. 2 in the Vegas odds this time around, thanks to a lineup that’s even deeper than the D.R.’s. The top two teams from each group will advance to the single-elimination portion of the tournament for the quarters, semis, and final. In the largest field to date, 20 teams will compete for the 2023 title.

Team USA, the Dominican Republic and Japan are the favorites to win this year's WBC.

- TBD vs. - Colombia vs. - Canada vs. - Israel vs. [Here are Matt Snyder's power rankings for the tournament](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/world-baseball-classic-power-rankings-team-usa-goes-for-another-title-dominican-republic-should-be-dominant/). [Full team rosters can be viewed here](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/teams), and [here's a primer on the event from CBS Sports' Mike Axisa](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2023-world-baseball-classic-rules-format-rosters-and-more-for-international-tournament/). - Cuba vs. ET on March 7), and there will be a total of 47 games. Colombia beat Mexico 5-4 in a wild game that went to extras and Venezuela took down the powerful Dominican Republic 5-1. The championship game is set for Tuesday, March 21 in Miami. Shohei Ohtani and Japan got their tournament started on Thursday, as Ohtani served as the starting pitcher and also collected two hits in an 8-1 victory over China. Japan followed that win up with a 13-4 defeat of Korea Friday and clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 10-2 win over the Czech Republic Saturday.

The WBC returns for the first time in six years on Tuesday, with a stacked field set to battle over the next two weeks.

The WBC returns this week following a two-year delay made necessary by the COVID pandemic. This is the fifth installment of the WBC and the first since USA ...

[Yu Darvish](/mlb/players/1937347/yu-darvish/), [and NPB stars Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2023-world-baseball-classic-four-international-prospects-to-watch-including-npb-mvp-yoshinobu-yamamoto/) (Mexico's [Julio Urías](/mlb/players/2073700/julio-urias/) and the Dominican Republic's [Sandy Alcantara](/mlb/players/2211794/sandy-alcantara/) are the other two). [Even with Seiya Suzuki having to withdraw from the WBC with an oblique injury](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-right-fielder-seiya-suzuki-withdraws-from-wbc-after-suffering-moderate-left-oblique-strain/), Japan's lineup packs serious punch with [56-homer man Munetaka Murakami](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/munetaka-murakami-breaks-npb-home-run-record-for-japanese-born-players-in-final-game-of-regular-season/), new [Red Sox](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/BOS/boston-red-sox/) outfielder [Masataka Yoshida](/mlb/players/29041593/masataka-yoshida/), three-time 40-homer guy Hotaka Yamakawa, and rising star Shugo Maki. [Kyle Freeland](/mlb/players/2135246/kyle-freeland/), [Lance Lynn](/mlb/players/1733864/lance-lynn/), [Merrill Kelly](/mlb/players/2050483/merrill-kelly/), [Nick Martinez](/mlb/players/2119647/nick-martinez/), [Miles Mikolas](/mlb/players/1946522/miles-mikolas/), and [Brady Singer](/mlb/players/2942978/brady-singer/). [Here is the full WBC schedule](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2023-world-baseball-classic-schedule-dates-wbc-teams-times-tv-channel-with-tournament-underway/) and [here is everything you need to know about this year's tournament](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2023-world-baseball-classic-rules-format-rosters-and-more-for-international-tournament/). Their .742 winning percentage is second all-time in the WBC behind the Dominican Republic (.750), though Japan has nearly as many wins (23) as the Dominican Republic has games played (24) because they always make deep runs in the WBC. They were eliminated in the second round in 2006, finished in fourth place in 2009, and were eliminated in the second round again in 2013. [Peter Moylan](/mlb/players/1102973/peter-moylan/) was out of baseball and working as a pharmaceutical salesman in 2005, then pitched for Australia in the 2006 WBC, [and stood out so much the Braves signed him to a minor-league contract](https://www.mlb.com/news/peter-moylan-gains-in-world-baseball-classic-c163753112). Harvey, 34 next month, spent the final two months of 2022 pitching competently for the [Orioles](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/BAL/baltimore-orioles/)' Triple-A affiliate. Other familiar names include journeymen [Cheslor Cuthbert](/mlb/players/1995622/cheslor-cuthbert/) and [Erasmo Ramírez](/mlb/players/1939521/erasmo-ramirez/). Nicaragua's best player is [Yankees](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/NYY/new-york-yankees/) reliever [Jonathan Loàisiga](/mlb/players/2898233/jonathan-loaisiga/). [Jose Altuve](/mlb/players/1839905/jose-altuve/), [Ronald Acuña Jr.](/mlb/players/2211777/ronald-acuna/), [Emmanuel Clase](/mlb/players/3107591/emmanuel-clase/), [Salvador Perez](/mlb/players/1793168/salvador-perez/), [Eugenio Suàrez](/mlb/players/1960254/eugenio-suarez/), [Gleyber Torres](/mlb/players/2167471/gleyber-torres/), and many other big names. The Netherlands upset the Dominican Republic (twice) in 2009.

The Netherlands is a WBC mainstay, always a threat. Baseball-mad Cuba has a new look. Panama and Italy are ready to shake up the order. And Chinese Taipei will ...

How they got here: They had to get through Argentina and Brazil to qualify for the WBC. And this year, they will play with Cuban pros for the first time, including Luis Robert and He became a full-time baseball player when he was 10, then started playing in Cuba’s top league when he was 17, with his hometown Alazanes de Granma. Coaching staff: Armando “Mandy” Johnson, now 64, has been a fixture of Cuban baseball for nearly 40 years. Blake Butera is the bench coach; he’s with the In the history of the tournament, the Dutch are 2-0 against South Korea, 2-1 against the Dominican Republic and 3-1 against Cuba. Coaching staff: Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens, a three-time World Series winner as hitting coach with the Giants, will manage the Dutch team for a third time in the WBC. Coaching staff: They are managed by Lin Yueh-Ping, once a star closer for the Uni-President Lions in the CPBL, where he helped lead them to six league titles as a player and coach, including in his first year as manager in 2020. RHP The Netherlands is a WBC mainstay, always a threat. North and South. East and West.

After two years of delay, the world's biggest international baseball tournament is here — use these services to stream the World Baseball Classic online for ...

on FS2 There are a lot of games to watch between now and then; check out the full 2023 World Baseball Classic schedule below (times in ET): on FS1 Thanks to the Want to watch the World Baseball Classic online for free? [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=256585&subId1=RS), which includes Fox, FS1, and FS2 in its 151-channel [Pro plan package](https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=256585&subId1=RS). [ Buy Free Trial DirecTV Stream](https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8972725-15210722?sid=RS&url=https://www.directv.com/stream/) Below are the best places to stream World Baseball Classic games online — including a couple of options with free trials. Best of all, DirecTV Stream starts with a [five-day free trial](https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8972725-15210722?sid=RS&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.directv.com%2Fstream%2F) to test it out. If you’ve cut the cord, there are still plenty of ways to watch the World Baseball Classic online. If you’re looking to watch the competition, read on. Team USA are the defending champions after winning in 2017, and will host the championship game in Miami later this month.

Looking up at the podium, it'd be hard to find a better full battery in baseball history. There was the Netherlands' pitching coach, one of the best ...

Box 4100","city":"Seattle","state":"Washington","stateAbbrev":"WA","postalCode":"98104","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":47.591333,"longitude":-122.33251},"country":"USA","phone":"(206) 346-4000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-8,"tz":"PST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2530,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2530"},"teamCode":"sea","fileCode":"sea","abbreviation":"SEA","teamName":"Mariners","locationName":"Seattle","firstYearOfPlay":"1977","league":{"id":103,"name":"American League","link":"/api/v1/league/103"},"division":{"id":200,"name":"American League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/200"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"Seattle","franchiseName":"Seattle","clubName":"Mariners","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":114,"name":"Cactus League","link":"/api/v1/league/114","abbreviation":"CL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","link":"/api/v1/teams/137","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2395,"name":"Oracle Park","link":"/api/v1/venues/2395","location":{"address1":"24 Willie Mays Plaza","city":"San Francisco","state":"California","stateAbbrev":"CA","postalCode":"94107","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":37.778383,"longitude":-122.389448},"country":"USA","phone":"(415) 972-2000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-8,"tz":"PST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2532,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2532"},"teamCode":"sfn","fileCode":"sf","abbreviation":"SF","teamName":"Giants","locationName":"San Francisco","firstYearOfPlay":"1883","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":203,"name":"National League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/203"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"San Francisco","franchiseName":"San Francisco","clubName":"Giants","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":138,"name":"St. Louis","clubName":"Cardinals","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","link":"/api/v1/teams/139","season":2023,"venue":{"id":12,"name":"Tropicana Field","link":"/api/v1/venues/12","location":{"address1":"One Tropicana Drive","city":"St. Petersburg","state":"Florida","stateAbbrev":"FL","postalCode":"33705","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":27.767778,"longitude":-82.6525},"country":"USA","phone":"(727) 825-3137"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/New_York","offset":-5,"tz":"EST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2534,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2534"},"teamCode":"tba","fileCode":"tb","abbreviation":"TB","teamName":"Rays","locationName":"St. Louis","firstYearOfPlay":"1892","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":205,"name":"National League Central","link":"/api/v1/divisions/205"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"St. Louis","state":"Missouri","stateAbbrev":"MO","postalCode":"63102","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":38.62256667,"longitude":-90.19286667},"country":"USA","phone":"(314) 345-9600"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Chicago","offset":-6,"tz":"CST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2520,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2520"},"teamCode":"sln","fileCode":"stl","abbreviation":"STL","teamName":"Cardinals","locationName":"St. "And you need everyone to be flexible and everyone to be patient and everyone to work together. "We probably might have the best infield that any pitchers are going to pitch behind," the Zeist, Netherlands, native said. "There's 20 countries being represented in the WBC this year," Blyleven said. "I think the tradition here in Taiwan for baseball is obviously very deep," Italy's manager said. Louis Cardinals","link":"/api/v1/teams/138","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2889,"name":"Busch Stadium","link":"/api/v1/venues/2889","location":{"address1":"700 Clark Street","city":"St. I was so happy to have him as my teammate and being able to close games for him." Rivera and Piazza have personal connections to the region.

Team USA will go for a second straight World Baseball Classic title in 2023. Here's a look at the Americans' schedule and how to watch the games.

ET During pool play, Team USA will play one game against each Pool C team. That star-studded roster is why Team USA enters the WBC as [one of the top favorites](https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/phillies/where-team-usa-ranks-among-2023-world-baseball-classic-favorites?chrcontext=WTVJ) to hoist the championship trophy once again.

It has been six years since baseball's superstars faced off in the sport's version of a World Cup. The U.S., Japan, the Dominican Republic and others are ...

At this point, the Classic is the pinnacle of the international game, and the sport hopes to continue to develop it as its version of the World Cup. [supposedly jaded American players](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/sports/baseball/world-baseball-classic-united-states-puerto-rico-championship.html) rushed from the dugout in 2017, gestured at the U.S.A. on top of the baseball world where it belongs, and we did exactly that,” [first baseman Eric Hosmer said.](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/sports/baseball/united-states-beats-puerto-rico-for-first-world-baseball-classic-title.html) The semifinals and final will be on FS1. A batting lineup that includes Juan Soto, Manny Machado and Rafael Devers is going to be terrifying, and not just to the likes of Israel and Nicaragua. For the first time in six years, the top players in professional baseball — and some hard-charging amateurs — will be competing in the World Baseball Classic. That means that in addition to the traditional baseball powerhouses, there’s room for first-timers like the Czech Republic, Britain and Nicaragua. As a result, the lineups at the Classic are significantly stronger. The defending champion is looking good because of a strong lineup. The United States, which had not finished better than fourth in the other editions of the Classic, beat Puerto Rico in 2017 to take the title. The top-ranked countries have Mets and Dodgers suiting up, but Britain has a player from Swarthmore College. It has been six years since baseball’s superstars faced off in the sport’s version of a World Cup.

A handful of former Tacoma Rainiers players will be appearing in the World Baseball Classic. Can you guess which countries lead the way?

The opening round of the 2023 World Baseball Classic is under way with Pool A foes Cuba and the Netherlands squaring off at Taichung Stadium in Taiwan.

In the 2013 Classic, the Netherlands defeated Cuba in the first game of the second round, and the two faced off a second time days later in an elimination game with a spot in the semifinals on the line. Wladimir Balentien, OF, Netherlands: Balentien is one of the top performers in the history of the World Baseball Classic, posting a .469 average with four homers, 17 RBIs and a 1.332 OPS over 14 games. [Netherlands](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/kingdom-of the netherlands) He began his MLB career with Oakland three years later and appeared in parts of eight seasons with the A’s, Red Sox, Tigers and Mets. The four-time All-Star owns a .396 on-base percentage in Classic play. [Thomas Harrigan](mailto:[email protected]) is a reporter for MLB.com. The dynamic 25-year-old has been limited by injuries during his three-year MLB career, but he has slashed .289/.334/.474 with 36 homers and 26 steals in 222 games. Cuba and the Netherlands are part of Pool A with Chinese Taipei, Italy and Panama. Cuba’s lone triumph came in the first round of the inaugural World Baseball Classic. He went deep twice in the Netherlands’ 14-1 win over Cuba in the second round of the 2017 Classic. This year’s tournament marks the first time in World Baseball Classic history that MLB players are eligible to play for Cuba. The Netherlands notched a 14-1 win over Cuba when the two matched up in the second round of the 2017 Classic.

With teams from 20 countries seeking bragging rights, the Dominican Republic and United States are favored to face each other in the World Baseball Classic ...

However, in all other rounds, no “mercy” rules will be implemented. In an effort to protect their arms, all World Baseball Classic pitchers will be on strict pitch counts. Bases will revert to the size they were before this spring training-15 inches square. During Pool play, if a team is leading by 15 or more runs after five innings, or 10 or more runs after seven innings, the game will be called. So look for those three-hour plus games that we often saw in the recent past. The Dominican Republic will be playing Julio Rodriguez (Mariners) Juan Soto (Padres) Eloy Jimenez (White Sox) and Teoscar Hernandez (Mariners) as outfielders in the Classic.

Pool play in the WBC is competed in round-robin double-elimination style. The top two teams from each of four pools advance and play in what MLB.com calls " ...

The World Baseball Classic kicks off with pool play on Tuesday night with Cuba vs. the Netherlands. Follow along with updates, news, analysis and more below ...

The Netherlands and Cuba open the tournament at 11 p.m. The White Sox are quietly optimistic that the opportunity to play for their national team will be a shot in the arm for Luis Robert Jr. And the last two WBCs, we got to the semifinals. In 2009, we beat the Dominican twice and eliminated them. In the history of the tournament, the Dutch are 2-0 against South Korea, 2-1 against the Dominican Republic and 3-1 against Cuba. And this year, they will play with Cuban pros for the first time, including Luis Robert and Yoán Moncada of the White Sox. The WBC is something to appreciate while safe in the knowledge that you’re never going to lock yourself in a bathroom, crying, “How could you do this to me, United States?” — unless you’re talking about Blue Shield denying one of your claims. How they got here: They had to get through Argentina and Brazil to qualify for the WBC. After signing a startling 11-year, $280 million deal with the Padres in December, the Aruban-born Bogaerts leads a sneaky good team from the Kingdom. Bert Blyleven is the pitching coach and Andruw Jones is the bench coach. How they got here: They were ranked fourth in the world in 2017 but fell flat in the WBC, going 0-3 in their pool as Israel and Netherlands advanced instead. He hits the ball a ton — when he hits the ball.

When Pool A play begins in Taichung, Taiwan, tonight, many expect that Cuba and the Netherlands will move on to the quarterfinals in Tokyo, but the margins ...

[6-5, ninth-inning comeback win](https://www.mlb.com/news/italy-defeats-mexico-with-5-run-9th-in-wbc-17-c218688778) against Mexico helped send the team to the second round for the only time in its WBC history. The team looks set to compete in the future, too. But with veterans Christian Bethancourt and Ruben Tejada in the lineup, opponents need to be wary of their bats. Italy has one of the best leagues in Europe, and former Brewers pitcher Junior Guerra made it to the Majors in 2015 after pitching for San Marino. Panama beat Argentina, 11-0, before Ariel Jurado one-hit Brazil for 5 1/3 innings in a 4-0 victory to send the team to Taiwan. [tournament record](https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-all-time-stats-leaders) for triples (three in 2009, before he defected), while 36-year-old [Alfredo Despaigne will look to increase](https://www.mlb.com/news/alfredo-despaigne-has-most-world-baseball-classic-homers) his record of seven home runs. and Yoán Moncada will now fill the middle of the lineup for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. Free agent Yoenis Céspedes returns to the team and could add to his Cuba will be plenty happy if he repeats his performance from his last stint in the Cuban League in 2016-17. Games were streamed online, and many baseball fanatics in the States tuned in to watch while eating their breakfast. The Netherlands have the highest WBSC ranking in Europe, and the team's roster is led by Major Leaguers like Xander Bogaerts, Jonathan Schoop and Chadwick Tromp, who all hail from the Caribbean islands of Curaçao and Aruba. It may be one of the most balanced brackets in the entire tournament.

There's only one stage on which Mike Trout can face Shohei Ohtani with national pride on the line and baseball fans all across the world watching, from the ...

But we brought the New York Yankees to London, and they could see the spectacle of baseball live and in person," Small said. "The obvious success of the WBC has been in places like Japan, Korea and the United States. "Baseball in Germany is in a much better spot now than it was before the WBC," Small said. Or the Czech Republic, whose qualifier win to claim a spot in the 2023 tournament was the biggest moment in its baseball history. That's good for our game -- for MLB and the brand." "A great benefit of the WBC is that it creates more awareness of players outside of the United States," Small said. "Talking to Shohei about [Japan], he tried to tell me he doesn't think he's the best player on the team," Trout said in disbelief. "The WBC has been a great way to advance the game because it's a World Cup competition. There have always been great players in the WBC -- the 2006 U.S. The WBC is an established brand, an established tournament, that the big-name players have grown up watching and saying 'Gosh, it would be really cool to play in that someday.' Well, now they can." "That will be the focus of our business folks, highlighting the players that are participating -- not just on Team USA, but on all the clubs represented in the tournament," Reagins said. It's the World Baseball Classic.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic begins Tuesday with Cuba taking on The Netherlands. Here are the top plays!

[How to watch the 2023 World Baseball Classic: TV, schedule](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/how-to-watch-the-2023-world-baseball-classic) [Team USA isn't WBC favorite, but boasts its best roster in years](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/team-usa-isnt-wbc-favorite-but-boasts-its-best-roster-in-years) [Projecting World Baseball Classic pitching rotations for Team USA, other contenders](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/projecting-world-baseball-classic-pitching-rotations-for-team-usa-other-contenders) [Verlander's top 10 World Baseball Classic teams](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/verlanders-top-10-world-baseball-classic-teams) [A bookmaker's take on the 2023 World Baseball Classic field](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/a-bookmakers-take-on-the-2023-world-baseball-classic-field) [Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes: Ranking every MLB team's chances to sign him](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/shohei-ohtani-sweepstakes-ranking-every-mlb-teams-chances-to-sign-him) [2023 NFL free-agent top-50 rankings: Lamar Jackson atop deep group of QBs](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-free-agent-top-50-rankings-lamar-jackson-qbs) [Should Bears deal No. Like we said, the little breaks. In tournament baseball, it's the little breaks, not the big explosions that generally are the difference. Check out the impressive stretch from Gregorius at first. The WBC site was a neutral location for both teams, but that didn't take away from the crowd's energy in the slightest. There will be plenty of runs scored during this WBC, but there's only one first!