Dominican Republic expected to win WBC in March.
U.S. outlet ESPN, on the 3rd (Korean time), in an article making bold predictions for 2026, predicted that "the Dominican Republic will spoil the Japan-U.S. WBC final rematch."
The 2023 WBC is regarded as the tournament with the most memorable games in history. Japan, which won the 2006 and 2009 tournaments, faced the United States, which was aiming for a second consecutive title after its 2017 victory, in the final, and Japan won 3-2. In the top of the ninth with two outs and the final batter up, Angels teammates at the time Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout faced each other for the first time, and Ohtani struck out Trout swinging with a sweeper. That scene sparked a sweeper craze in Major League Baseball and even in the KBO League for a while.
The sixth WBC, to be held in March, is expected to generate even greater excitement than the previous tournament. Japan has confirmed participation from players active in Major League Baseball, including Ohtani, the hero of the last tournament, Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers), Munetaka Murakami (White Sox), Yuki Matsui (San Diego), and Yusei Kikuchi (Angels).
The United States, seeking revenge, has assembled a star-studded dream team. Aaron Judge (Yankees), the best hitter in Major League Baseball, will serve as captain, and superstars such as Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City), Cal Raleigh (Seattle), Corbin Carroll (Arizona), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs), Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia), Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore), Will Smith (Dodgers), and Bryce Harper (Philadelphia) are participating. On the mound, Tarik Skubal (Detroit) and Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh), who won the two major league Cy Young Awards last year, both declared they would join the national team.
Many experts rate Japan and the United States as the leading favorites to win, but ESPN said, "All signs point to a rematch of the 2023 final. Except for the fact that the Dominican Republic could win," adding, "The Dominican lineup is a nightmare for pitchers," praising the Dominican Republic's powerful batting.
The Dominican Republic's team is managed by legendary hitter Albert Pujols, who hit 703 career Major League home runs. Superstars joining the team include Juan Soto (Mets), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (first baseman), Jose Ramirez (Cleveland), Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona), Julio Rodríguez (Seattle), Ketel Marte (Arizona), Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay), Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego), and Eli De La Cruz (Cincinnati). In a way, the lineup is more lavish than the Major League All-Star Game.
ESPN noted that "Albert Pujols' biggest dilemma is deciding whom to start," highlighting the Dominican Republic's happy problem.
The key is the mound. ESPN said, "If Christopher Sanchez (Philadelphia), Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee), Framber Valdez (Houston), Luis Castillo (Seattle), Sandy Alcantara (Miami), Joan Duran (Philadelphia), and Bryan Abreu (Houston) all play, the Dominican Republic can assemble a powerful pitching staff," and added, "Since winning the title in 2013, the Dominican Republic was eliminated early in 2017 (quarterfinals) and 2023 (first round). Their record in those two tournaments was 6-4. This time they aim for big home runs, astonishing bat flips, and perhaps an 'undefeated championship'."
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