Three teams are mentioned as candidates for the 5th World Baseball Classic (WBC), which will be held in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States next month.
The Dominican Republic, the United States and Japan. It is revealed in the recent odds announced by sports betting companies.
Draft Kings suggested +200 for the Dominican Republic, +225 for the United States, and +280 for Japan. Action Network also predicted the Dominican Republic (+230), the United States (+250), and Japan (+300) in that order, and BetMGM also announced odds of +200, +250, and +350 in the same order, respectively. The lower the odds, the higher the chance of winning.
The three countries made up the national team with the best players in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to the extent that it is difficult to say who is better. Among them, the Dominican Republic’s probability of winning is expected to be the highest because it has the most stable power across the pitch. It is a country nicknamed ‘the strongest in the universe’.
First of all, the batting lineup is the strongest lineup just by looking at the name alone, including Gary Sanchez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jeremy Pena, Wander Franco, Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Teosca Hernandez, Julio Rodriguez, and Xander Bogatz. The four-man rotation including Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, Christian Javier, Johnny Cueto, and Roanci Contreras, and the bullpen with strong pitches such as Gregory Soto, Imi Garcia, Hector Norris, and Rafael Montero are also strengths.
Nelson Cruz, general manager and player of the Dominican Republic national team, told MLB.com, “Soto said that our team is like watching the US Olympic team made up of NBA stars. It’s like a dream team. Our basic strategy.” I don’t know if I’ll have a chance to play.”
He continued, “All of our people are excited. I’m getting calls from all over the place asking for tickets, and anyone with my number will know how to get to the game.”
According to MLB.com, Alcantara and Machado were in the top 10 in WAR last season, while Rodriguez, Devers, Machado and Soto were in the top 20 in OPS last season. Looking at the total careers of the 30 roster members, they shine with 40 All-Star selections, 18 Silver Sluggers, and 8 Gold Gloves.
No matter what anyone says, the signs of the Dominican Republic are Soto and Guerrero. They are candidates to be treated with more than 400 million to 500 million dollars in the free agent market, and it is no exaggeration to say that the firepower of the Dominican Republic’s central batting line led by the two is the strongest among participating countries.
The best lineup for the US is JT Realmuto, Paul Goldschmidt, Jeff McNeil, Nolan Arenado, Trey Turner, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso. It boasts a face that is not comparable to the Dominican Republic. The selection is rich, such as Clayton Kershaw, Adam Wainwright, Miles Mycholas, Nestor Cortes, and Meryl Kelly, but there are aspects that lack speed and power. The bullpen, led by Ryan Presley, Adam Ottavino, David Bednar and Daniel Bard, is relatively strong.
There are four major league MVPs, including Trout, Kershaw, Betts, and Goldschmidt, and the total annual salary of 27 players this season, excluding non-contractors, reaches $385.71 million. With an average of $14.28 million, it ranks first among 20 countries.
When it comes to splendor, Japan is not far behind the two teams. 2021 unanimous MVP pitcher Shohei Otani, San Diego Padres ace Yu Darvish, who successfully signed a six-year contract extension this time, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who won four Pacific League pitching crowns, and Rocky Sasaki, who boasts a fastball of up to 164 km, make up the rotation. 메이저놀이터
The other lineup consists of Munetaka Murakami, who hit 56 home runs last year and became the MVP of the Central League, and Major League outfielders Seiya Suzuki, Masataka Yoshida, and Lars Nutba. Power, mobility, and defense are all excellent.
If the three teams pass the group stage first place, their face-to-face will take place in the semifinals or higher. Group B Japan can pass through the quarterfinals and semifinals without difficulty and reach the final, while Group C USA and Group D Dominican Republic can meet in the semifinals. In the end, a Japan-USA match or a Japan-Dominican Republic match is likely to be the final match.