2023 World Baseball Classic: Dominican Republic, Japan, Team USA Top Odds Board

The World Baseball Classic returns on Tuesday after a six-year hiatus, set to run March 7-21 and serve as a sort of precursor to the upcoming MLB season. The international competition, which is historically closely contested, will seek to crown its first world champion since 2017. That’s when Team USA triumphed for the first time ever.

Japan (2006, 2009), Dominican Republic (2013), and USA (2017) have made up the entirety of the list of champions since the inception of the WBC. Those three teams also comprised the top three finishers in the most recent international baseball showcase — the 2021 Olympics. Japan took home gold and Team USA silver.

However, keep in mind that since that took place primarily in August, the best MLB players didn’t participate. Japan had a leg up on the others as they paused their domestic season.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the USA, Japan and Dominican Republic also top World Baseball Classic odds. The exact order depends on your sportsbook of choice.

Full World Baseball Classic Futures Odds

World Baseball Classic Pools, Odds, Roster Notes

The 20-team World Baseball Classic uses a first-round pools format, with five teams in each pool. The top two finishers from each pool advance to the knockout phase. From there, the teams play single-elimination baseball until a winner is crowned in Miami on March 21.

Here’s a look at the WBC bracket.

First-round markets aside from single-game ones include pool winners and “to qualify” as a top-two finisher. We’ll take a look at the prices for the former and see what each team brings to the table in terms of its roster.

Starred teams denote pool hosts. Japan, Taipei and the USA co-host, although Puerto Rico may have the fan advantage in Pool D in Miami.

Pool A

Cuba boasts a couple of White Sox standouts in Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada. Additionally, longtime MLB outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (now 37) will suit up, along with four players in MLB-affiliated minor league teams. Three Cuban pitchers also grace FanGraphs‘ prospects board, though all are projected to become relievers.

Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts headlines the Netherlands squad, along with standout closer Kenley Jansen. Recent/current major leaguers Didi Gregorius, Jonathan Schoop, Jurickson Profar, Andrelton Simmons, and Pedro Strop make this arguably the most talented team in a wide open group.

The biggest star for Italy is probably manager Mike Piazza. Beyond the Hall of Famer, Italy boasts 2022 MLB starter Andre Pallante, starting Royals infielders Vinnie Pasquantino and Nicky Lopez, and highly ranked Brewers prospect Sal Frelick.

Chinese Taipei has one current major leaguer in first baseman Yu Chang, as well as a couple of non-prospect minor leaguers.

Panama has a top prospect in catcher Ivan Herrera, as well as another solid prospect in outfielder Jose Ramos. It also has major-league swingmen Jaime Barria and Paolo Espino, as well as Christian Bethancourt — a catcher and first baseman by trade.

Pool B

Japan’s squad is loaded per usual. They boast a pair of bonafide superstars in Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish heading their rotation. Additonally, Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are two of the best pitchers in the world not currently in MLB. Munetaka Murakami is the premier slugger in the Japanese league and homered in the Olympic final against the USA. Finally, the team also has MLB outfielders Lars Nootbaar and Masataka Yoshida, debuting this year for Boston.

Solid MLB infielders Ha-Seong Kim and Tommy Edman head the South Korean team. Longtime KBO slugger Sung-Bum Na, former MLB players Hyun-Soo Kim, and top-prospect Jung-Hoo Lee give the Korean team a strong outfield as well. Recent MLB closer/starter Kwang-Hyun Kim is the most recognizable name on the pitching staff.

Australia has a handful of minor leagues but no names most American baseball fans would recognize.

The Czech Republic and China have no notable current pros, but Eric Sogard will suit up for the former.

Pool C

Major leaguers make up the entirety of the American team. Superstars Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Trea Turner anchor the lineup. Notable starters include Brady Singer, Lance Lynn and Adam Wainwright, with possible MLB saves leader Devin Williams and fellow closers Daniel Bard and Ryan Pressly at the back of the bullpen.

Mexico has quite a formidable team. Major leaguers make up around half of the roster. Recently graduated top prospect Alek Thomas, Randy Arozarena and Alex Verdugo will make for a starry outfield. The rotation is strong as well with Julio Urias, Patrick Sandoval, Jose Urquidy, and Taijuan Walker.

Harold Ramirez, Elias Diaz, and Jorge Alfaro lead the Colombian team, along with fringe MLB starters Julio Teheran and Reiver Sanmartin.

Canada actually boasts a slew of top prospects and recognizable names. Freddie Freeman and Tyler O’Neill headline, with top Guardians prospect Bo Naylor set to start at catcher. The pitching staff has less star power, with Cal Quantrill and former prospect Matt Brash as the biggest names.

Rounding out this tough group, even Great Britain has some top talent. Recent 12th-overall pick (2021) Harry Ford will have catching duties, while Dodgers outfield super-sub Trayce Thompson joins him in the lineup. Prospects include Bahamian-born pitcher Tahnaj Thomas.

Pool D

The Dominican Republic has nearly all major leaguers. The lineup is absolutely loaded, featuring Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, Manny Machado, Wander Franco, Rafael Devers, and Willy Adames. Pitching is a little tilted toward the bullpen here, with a ton of solid MLB relief arms. Sandy Alcantara, Cristian Javier, and recently graduated prospect Roansy Contreras lead the rotation.

Venezuela has a fearsome slew of hitters including Ronald Acuna Jr., Jose Altuve, Salvador Perez, Andres Gimenez, and 2022 AL batting champ Luis Arraez. The pitching isn’t as deep as the top teams have but does feature recent Marlins standouts Jesus Luzardo and Pablo Lopez, as well as Luis Garcia, Martin Perez, and Ranger Suarez.

Puerto Rico also has starpower but a little less depth. The bullpen is strong, with Edwin Diaz and Jorge Lopez. Marcus Stroman and Jose Berrios anchor the rotation. Francisco Lindor is by far and away the best hitter on the team, but Javy Baez, Kike Hernandez, and MJ Melendez are also present.

Israel doesn’t bring much notable pitching to the table. But, Joc Pederson along with solid prospects Zack Gelof and Matt Mervis bring some punch to the lineup.

MLB depth-types will headline the Nicaragua roster, with Jonathan Loaisiga of the Yankees’ pen the most recognizable name in the fold.

Good luck with early wagers on World Baseball Classic odds. TheLines will bring updated markets when the time comes for the knockout rounds.