This year’s World Baseball Classic has been full of excitement. The last tournament was played in 2017, and it appears each player and country has been saving up all the drama for the 2023 stage.
Now it’s time for the championship game, which takes place Tuesday at 7 p.m. at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The United States steamrolled Cuba 14-2 in the semis to book their ticket, while Japan beat Mexico 5-4 in a walk-off thriller that will go down in international baseball history.
JAPAN WALKS IT OFF! JAPAN WALKS IT OFF! 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/K5VBlpIyTC
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023
Read our How To Bet On Baseball guide if you’re new to baseball betting or need a refresher, and make sure to keep track of the latest MLB World Series odds with MLB Futures.
2023 World Baseball Classic Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | +100 | +1.5 (-135) | O 10.0 (-115) |
| USA | -130 | -1.5 (+105) | U 10.0 (-115) |
Our odds calculator awards the U.S.A. an implied 56.62 percent chance of winning. A $10 bet on the Americans would pay out $17.69. Japan gets a 50 percent implied chance, and a $10 bet pays $20.
World Baseball Classic Odds: Best Bet
This is one of the best WBC finals showdowns in recent history.
United States (-130)
The Americans are heating up at the right time. After a hideous start where the team barely squeaked by Great Britain and lost to Mexico, the U.S. is clubbing teams to death. That merciless beating vs Cuba in the semis saw Trea Turner continue his hot streak by hitting two more bombs as the States scored in each of the first six innings.
Then, I flip to Japan, a club that started very slowly on offense in the semis. Sure, the dramatic walk-off win showed tons of heart, but I think the U.S. has the upper hand. Starting pitching is an X factor, and it appears Japan won’t go with MLB star Yu Darvish to pitch the final. Instead, it’ll be Shota Imanaga, a crafty lefty from the Japanese League, against Diamondbacks righty Merrill Kelly.
I like the U.S.A. to win in that pitching matchup. For that reason, I’ll double down on the States to win the first five innings (-135), and I’ll also wager that the total goes UNDER 10 runs (-115).
Picks: U.S. to win (-130); U.S. to win first five innings (-135); UNDER 10 runs (-115)
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Taipei (Host) | Japan (Host) | United States (Host) | Puerto Rico |
| Netherlands | South Korea | Mexico | Venezuela |
| Cuba | Australia | Colombia | Dominican Republic |
| Italy | China | Great Britain | Israel |
| Panama | Czech Republic | Canada | Nicaragua |
bold = advanced to quarterfinal round
| Year | First Place | Second Place | Third Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | United States | Puerto Rico | Japan |
| 2013 | Dom. Republic | Puerto Rico | Japan |
| 2009 | Japan | South Korea | Venezuela |
| 2006 | Japan | Cuba | South Korea |
MLB Betting Trends & Reports
Picks by League
Where is the World Baseball Classic?
The 2023 World Baseball Classic will be split among three host countries: Taiwan, Japan and the United States. The final will be played at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
When is the World Baseball Classic?
The 2023 World Baseball Classic will be played March 8-21, split among host countries Taiwan, Japan and the United States.
Who won the last World Baseball Classic?
The United States won the 2017 World Baseball Classic, defeating Puerto Rico in the finals. Japan defeated the Netherlands for third place.
Can I bet on the World Baseball Classic?
Yes, you can bet on the World Baseball Classic. Betting on this tournament is like betting on any regular baseball game. For more info, check out our How To Bet On Baseball guide.
