Sports

World Baseball Classic Highlights

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 12: Mookie Betts #3 of Team USA bats against Team Mexico during the World Baseball Classic Pool C game at Chase Field on March 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Team Mexico defeated Team USA 11-5. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Vince Kim
March 16, 2023

After a six-year wait, the World Baseball Classic is now underway and has revived baseball’s biggest global tournament!

First started in 2006, there have been a total of five WBC tournaments throughout 17 years, including the 2023 WBC. As over 20 teams from every corner of the world compete in four five-team pools to advance all the way into the championship round, we have already seen some exciting spectacles.

Pool A ended with a chaotic five-way tie between Italy, Cuba, Netherlands, Panama, and Chinese Taipei. Italy and Cuba earned their ticket to the quarter-finals with a complicated WBC tiebreaker rule. Japan blasted their way to the top of Pool B with an undefeated 4-0 run, and the second ticket to the quarter-finals will be fought between the Czech Republic and Australia. Pool C and D games, which are hosted in the US, began a few games after the schedule of games in Asia. Team USA cashed their first win against Great Britain 6-2.

While anyone can make a case for Cuba, Puerto Rico, or the USA winning it all, Japan’s dominance over Pool B has shifted the odds in their favor. Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani shined in the first round, going 6-for-12 with three doubles and a three-run homer, while also pitching four scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Japan has also starred Lars Nootbar of the St. Louis Cardinals, who has gone 6-for-14 with two stolen bases and recorded more walks(four) than strikeouts(three). Undoubtedly, Japan is expected to make it far into the tournament, as they have recorded two WBC championships(2006, 2009) and two bronze medals(2013, 2017) as well.

Make sure to stay in tune to the upcoming games below!

Tuesday, March 14