USA vs Japan

It's Team USA vs. Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game Tuesday night. Team USA, which won the 2017 tournament, is attempting to ...

[Trea Turner](/mlb/players/2135249/trea-turner/) merits your attention on the U.S. For the 2023 tournament, Turner, who inked a big contract with the [Phillies](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/PHI/philadelphia-phillies/) this offseason, is slashing .368/.429/1.000 with four home runs. Team USA may have a slight edge thanks all their right-handed bats of All-Star caliber that will seize the platoon advantage against Imanaga. Ohtani is also worth watching because [there's a chance that he'll pitch in relief](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/usa-vs-japan-will-shohei-ohtani-pitch-against-u-s-in-wbc-final-superstar-prepared-for-relief-appearance/) and maybe even face [Angels](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/LAA/los-angeles-angels/) teammate [Mike Trout](/mlb/players/1739608/mike-trout/). It speaks to the strength of the U.S. The star shortstop notched a script-flipping grand slam in the quarterfinals, and he had a two-homer game in the USA romp over Cuba in the semis. Japan mounted a thrilling comeback win over Mexico on Monday night in their semifinal matchup to stay unbeaten in the tournament. He's Japan's most accomplished hitter, and his power will probably be needed in this one if Japan is to prevail. LHP Shōta Imanaga (Japan) Japan, which won the first two World Baseball Classics, is attempting to lift the trophy for the third time. The United States, which won the last WBC in 2017, is attempting to defends its title. Now let's move on to how you can watch USA-Japan.

The Angels star may come out of the bullpen in the final game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

That said, both Ohtani and his manager have acknowledged the possibility that he'll take the mound on Tuesday night. That said, general manager Perry Minasian, when asked about the possibility that Ohtani will pitch against Team USA, [Los Angeles Angels](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/LAA/los-angeles-angels/) two-way superstar [Shohei Ohtani](/mlb/players/2901324/shohei-ohtani/) was one of the heroes of Japan's comeback win over Mexico in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Monday night.

MIAMI – It's the matchup every fan and player dreamed of at the start of the tournament: Samurai Japan vs. Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final.

[Jessica Camerato](mailto:[email protected]) covers the Nationals for MLB.com. Sunday’s pitching efforts helped keep USA’s bullpen fresh for the title game. USA is facing a lefty starter for the third game in a row. If this is the sign that his swing is back on track, Japan’s lineup just got a lot deeper. “Mentally, I will be prepared to throw,” Ohtani said after Monday’s dramatic victory. He enters the championship game slashing .368/.429/1.000 with a 1.429 OPS. [Merrill Kelly](https://www.mlb.com/player/518876) of the D-backs is getting the nod in the finals. Japan: There were rumors that Yu Darvish might get the start -- or perhaps even Shohei Ohtani -- but instead the team is turning to Shōta Imanaga. The righty started the Pool C finale vs. But you don't come here just for that -- you come to win." Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final. “I think it's good that Japan versus the U.S.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for USA vs. Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game.

4 p.m. ET (4 p.m. - Start time: 7 p.m. First pitch for the United States' clash with Japan is set for 7 p.m. Kelly quick-pitched Yoshida a bit there, and he paints a four-seam on the corner for the third out of the inning. He throws a cutter down and away from Yamada, who chips it to Betts in right for the first out of the inning. -- Loup throws a curveball there on the inside part of the plate, and Kondoh skies it to center for the third out of the inning. -- Ohtani yanks one high and in to Anderson at second for the second out of the inning, and that is going to bring up Yoshida. -- Itoh gets Mullins half swinging half looking to get out of the inning clean, and that's a 1-2-3 inning for Japan. -- Adam gets Murakami swinging on a nice changeup for the first out of the inning, and that brings up Okamoto. -- Adam gets a slider over in the 2-2 count and gets USA out of the inning on a flyout to Betts in right! -- Trout takes an inside-out swing at a sinker and flies out to Kondoh in right for the first out of the inning.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic comes to a close Tuesday with the tournament's championship game. Here are the top plays!

- World Baseball Classic 2023 odds: How to bet Japan vs. While a championship is on the line, both players had a moment to catch up pregame. But the star hitter flew out to right and [Trea Turner](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/trea-turner-player) can't stop hitting home runs. Ohtani's been given permission to pitching one inning in Tuesday's game. The final at-bat came down to two of the game's greats: Shohei Ohtani pitching against his Angels teammate Mike Trout. [Angels](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels-team) teammates [Mike Trout](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/mike-trout-player) and [Shohei Ohtani](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/shohei-ohtani-player) will go head-to-head for the first time in Tuesday's final. [Jeff McNeil](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/jeff-mcneil-player), Ohtani got [Mookie Betts](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/mookie-betts-player) to ground into a double play to move Japan one out away from securing the title. [Yu Darvish](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/yu-darvish-player) made his way to the bullpen in the fifth inning while Ohtani made his way to the bullpen in the sixth inning. [Merrill Kelly](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/merrill-kelly-2-player) had a near-spotless first inning, allowing just a walk to [Shohei Ohtani](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/shohei-ohtani-player) before striking out [Masataka Yoshida](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/masataka-yoshida-player) to end the first inning. [Mike Trout](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/mike-trout-player) got the game's first hit - turning a bloop hit into a double in the top of the first inning. [2023 World Baseball Classic](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic) came to a close with a thriller on Tuesday as [Japan](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/japan-team) took down Team [USA](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/usa-team) 3-2 to win the title.

The World Baseball Classic Championship will be held on Tuesday, March 21. Team USA will face Team Japan at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

Team USA scored at least one run in each of the first six innings and led 9-2 after five innings. They put up six runs to win against Mexico but have the power in the lineup to put up double digits. Japan entered the WBC as the team with the best odds to win the championship, but the pendulum has swung the other way with how dominantly the US handled Cuba. In total, Team USA hit four home runs in the semifinals and capitalized when opposing pitchers made mistakes. They will have to be at their best with how red-hot the U.S. will serve as the away team and will send [Arizona Diamondbacks](https://www.azsnakepit.com/) starter Merrill Kelly to the mound. [Los Angeles Angels](https://www.halosheaven.com/) outfielder Shohei Ohtani led off the inning with a double. The run total for the game is set at 10, which is low with how these teams have been swinging the bat. After a rocky start to the game, the US’s bullpen shut the door on Mexico and cruised to the championship. They have -125 moneyline odds, while Team Japan is the narrow +105 underdog. Japan played in a classic against Mexico in their semifinal matchup. Team USA will face Team Japan at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

Mookie Betts and Mike Trout are at the top of the starting lineup for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game against Japan on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander posted a 3.37 ERA over 33 starts last season. Who is Team USA’s starting pitcher vs. Japan in World Baseball Classic final? The third outfield spot went to Cedric Mullins instead of Kyle Tucker, though both hit left-handed. What is Team USA’s starting lineup vs. Team USA’s starting lineup for the 2023 World Baseball Classic final has been posted.

Find out how to watch the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between the USA and Japan for free if you don't have cable.

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After a dramatic finish, Japan's 3-2 win over the USA making them the only country to have won three times, putting them back on top of the baseball world.

The key to the game for the USA will be the bullpen. It is deep, back to the wall and it is gone! Shota Imanaga is on the mound for Japan and Mookie Betts will be leading off for the USA. Tim Anderson now at the plate and he jumps on the second pitch for a deep fly ball to right center field. Munetaka Murakami jumps on the first pitch and chops it to second. The second pitch is lifted out to right and Kondoh charges it to make the catch for out number one. Arenado fields it and flips to Turner for one, and the throw to first ends the inning. JT Realmuto comes up now and rips a shot on the ground to third. Shohei Ohtani will come to the plate now and the count runs full for him before he whacks a stinger to a diving Trea Turner. Masataka Yoshida will now come to the plate and will roll one to short, directly into the shift. Cedric Mullins comes to the plate and lifts the first pitch out to center field. The best player in Japan versus the best player in America, for the bragging rights to say which is the best in the world.

Mookie Betts and Mike Trout are at the top of the starting lineup for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game against Japan on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander posted a 3.37 ERA over 33 starts last season. Who is Team USA’s starting pitcher vs. Japan in World Baseball Classic final? The third outfield spot went to Cedric Mullins instead of Kyle Tucker, though both hit left-handed. What is Team USA’s starting lineup vs. Team USA’s starting lineup for the 2023 World Baseball Classic final has been posted.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic concluded Tuesday night with two generational talents facing off in Los Angeles Angels stars Shoehei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

Those two homers, by the way, came in the clutch. The future of the sport and growing it for younger generations is what makes the WBC unique. Nootbaar actually moved in with Arenado and his wife, Laura, after the 2021 season. Japan starter Shōta Imanaga pitched a stellar season for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars last season in NPB. Japan has a 3-1 lead to the fifth inning. After Murakami, Japan loaded the bases and knocked out U.S. This is hardly a surprise to fans in Japan. In between, he took an at-bat, smacking a ball 114 mph and sprinting to first in 4.16 seconds, beating a throw from Trea Turner for an infield hit. Jeff McNeil will lead off the ninth for Team USA. Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout on a full-count slider in the ninth inning Tuesday night in Miami, capping Japan’s enthralling run to a World Baseball Classic championship with a 3-2 victory over Team USA. Darvish entered the eighth inning in relief for Japan. Japan rosters, who to watch and more](https://theathletic.com/4327610/2023/03/21/wbc-final-preview-usa-japan/) [Rosenthal: Will Shohei Ohtani pitch against USA in WBC final?

For the Americans, they have chance to become the first repeat WBC winners since Japan took the first two tournaments in 2006 and 2009. For Japan – the only ...

needs to hang runs on Imanaga early, and on a similar timeline the cowhide needs to be presented to the U.S. The U.S. The core U.S. As well, the U.S. Again, given the deep and rested U.S. Williams, at 19 pitches, threw the most of any U.S. The state of the U.S. There's little doubt that the rotation is the soft underbelly of the U.S. So what's needed in order for the U.S. Let's do just that, from the U.S. In terms of the specific matchup, it's compelling clash of strengths. For Japan – the only nation to win multiple WBCs – they'll aiming to claim the belt and title for the third time in five tournaments.