Japan and the U.S. headline the 20-team World Baseball Classic; with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto anchoring Japan and Aaron Judge plus elite arms for the U.S., futures markets may favor Japan’s depth. Punters should shop run-line and live odds, target under/total lines in pitching matchups, and look for value hedges if early favorites falter.
World Baseball Classic returns with 20 teams and global venues
The sixth World Baseball Classic runs in March with 20 nations competing across four pools. The tournament spans 13 days and 47 games at four sites: the Tokyo Dome, Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, MLB parks in Miami and Houston. Pool play opens March 4 and the championship final is set for March 17.
Star-studded rosters set the tone
Japan
Japan arrives as a perennial power, seeking a fourth WBC title. The lineup boasts marquee names including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with lefty Yusei Kikuchi and outfielder Seiya Suzuki — a mix of high-end pitching and run-producing offense.
United States
Team USA counters with a deep, star-laden roster led by captain Aaron Judge. The pitching corps lists Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, while the lineup features multiple former MVPs. The U.S. brings significant MLB experience and depth, making it a heavy contender in futures markets.
Pools and format
Pool A | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico
Pool B | Daikin Park, Houston Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, U.S.
Pool C | Tokyo Dome, Tokyo Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Japan, South Korea
Pool D | loanDepot Park, Miami Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Venezuela
Top teams advance from pool play to the knockout rounds, culminating in single-elimination quarterfinals, semifinals and a championship game.
Broadcast and streaming
Most U.S. games air across the Fox family of networks (Fox, FS1, FS2) with additional streaming on the Fox Sports app and Tubi.
Key matchups and storylines
Japan vs. South Korea: A marquee regional rivalry with top-tier pitching and passionate crowds in Tokyo.
U.S. showcase games: Tests against Mexico and Brazil will reveal how quickly the American roster gels.
Pool surprises: Teams like Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands can swing momentum in knockout seeding.
Betting implications and strategy
Futures: Japan and the U.S. are natural favorites; shop prices early and consider hedging if you lock in a long-term bet.
Game matchup bets: Emphasize live markets, under/over totals in pitching-dominated games, and run-line value when starters suppress offense.
Pitching matters: National teams with elite starting pitchers and bullpen depth can flip moneyline and totals markets — monitor announced rotations and weather.
Value plays: Look for underdogs in deep pools with favorable pitching matchups and target early lines before markets adjust to star player announcements.
Knockout rounds and final
Quarterfinals: March 13–14 across loanDepot Park and Daikin Park.
Semifinals: March 15–16 at loanDepot Park.
Championship final: March 17 at loanDepot Park — single-game title decider.
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Closing note: The 2026 World Baseball Classic combines international pride with elite MLB talent, setting up high-stakes matchups that will matter for futures and in-play betting markets.
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