World Baseball Classic talk

raiders72001

raiders72001

EOG Senior

Messages
30,400
Dominican Republic to win pool D. I can't see them losing but there's free money.

Yes -155 Draftkings
No +173 Bitcoin-Betting

Bitcoin-Betting has yes and no.
 
Projected starters


  • LF — Roman Anthony (Boston Red Sox): .292 AVG, 8 HR, 32 RBI, .859 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • RF — Aaron Judge (New York Yankees): .331 AVG, 53 HR, 114 RBI, 1.144 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 1B — Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies): .264 AVG, 26 HR, 72 RBI, .854 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • C — Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners): .247 AVG, 60 HR, 125 RBI, .948 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • SS — Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals): .295 AVG, 23 HR, 88 RBI, .852 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • DH — Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies): .240 AVG, 56 HR, 132 RBI, .928 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 3B — Alex Bregman (Boston Red Sox): .273 AVG, 18 HR, 62 RBI, .821 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • CF — Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs): .247 AVG, 31 HR, 95 RBI, .768 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 2B — Brice Turang (Milwaukee Brewers): .288 AVG, 18 HR, 81 RBI, .794 OPS in 2025 MLB
Starting pitchers
  • RHP Logan Webb (San Francisco Giants): 15-11, 3.22 ERA, 224 K, 1.24 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • LHP Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers): 13-6, 2.21 ERA, 241 K, 0.89 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates): 10-10, 1.97 ERA, 216 K, 0.95 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Nolan McLean (New York Mets): 5-1, 2.06 ERA, 57 K, 1.04 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
 
DR

Projected starters


  • C — Agustín Ramírez (Miami Marlins): .231 AVG, 21 HR, 67 RBI, .700 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 1B — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays): .292 AVG, 23 HR, 84 RBI, .848 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 2B — Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks): .283 AVG, 28 HR, 72 RBI, .893 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • SS — Geraldo Perdomo (Arizona Diamondbacks): .290 AVG, 20 HR, 100 RBI, .851 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 3B — Manny Machado (San Diego Padres): .275 AVG, 27 HR, 95 RBI, .795 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • DH — Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays): .264 AVG, 45 HR, 110 RBI, .846 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • LF — Juan Soto (New York Mets): .263 AVG, 43 HR, 105 RBI, .921 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • CF — Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners): .267 AVG, 32 HR, 95 RBI, .798 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • RF — Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego Padres): .268 AVG, 25 HR, 71 RBI, .814 OPS in 2025 MLB.

Projected starting pitchers
  • RHP Brayan Bello (Boston Red Sox): 11-9, 3.35 ERA, 124 K, 1.24 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • LHP Cristopher Sánchez (Philadelphia Phillies): 13-5, 2.50 ERA, 212 K, 1.06 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Luis Severino (Athletics): 8-11, 4.54 ERA, 124 K, 1.30 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins): 11-12, 5.36 ERA, 142 K, 1.27 WHIP in 2025 MLB.

Projected closer
  • RHP Carlos Estévez (Kansas City Royals): 4-5, 2.45 ERA, 54 K, 42 saves, 1.06 WHIP in 2025 MLB. I’m
 
Mexico

Projected starters

  • C — Alejandro Kirk (Toronto Blue Jays): .282 AVG, 15 HR, 76 RBI, .769 OPS.
  • 1B — Jonathan Aranda (Tampa Bay Rays): .316 AVG, 14 HR, 59 RBI, .883 OPS.
  • 2B — Nick Gonzales (Pittsburgh Pirates): .260 AVG, 5 HR, 30 RBI, .661 OPS.
  • SS — Joey Ortiz (Milwaukee Brewers): .230 AVG, 7 HR, 45 RBI, .593 OPS.
  • 3B — Luis Urías (Athletics): .230 AVG, 8 HR, 25 RBI, .653 OPS.
  • DH — Rowdy Tellez (Seattle Mariners): .228 AVG, 17 HR, 49 RBI, .719 OPS.
  • LF — Randy Arozarena (Seattle Mariners): .238 AVG, 27 HR, 76 RBI, .760 OPS.
  • CF — Alek Thomas (Arizona Diamondbacks): .249 AVG, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 7 SB, .659 OPS.
  • RF — Jarren Duran (Boston Red Sox): .257 AVG, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 24 SB, .774 OPS.

Projected starting pitchers
  • RHP Alan Rangel (Philadelphia Phillies): 1 save, 2.45 ERA, 8 K, 1.45 WHIP in 2025 MLB action.
  • RHP Javier Assad (Chicago Cubs): 4-1, 3.65 ERA, 23 K, 1.22 WHIP.
  • RHP Taijuan Walker (Philadelphia Phillies): 5-8, 4.08 ERA, 86 K, 1.41 WHIP.

Closer
  • RHP Andrés Muñoz (Seattle Mariners): 38 saves, 1.73 ERA, 83 K, 1.03 WHIP.
 
Italy

Projected starters

  • C — Kyle Teel (Chicago White Sox): .273 AVG, 8 HR, 35 RBI, .786 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 1B — Vinnie Pasquantino (Kansas City Royals): .264 AVG, 32 HR, 113 RBI, .798 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 2B — Miles Mastrobuoni (Seattle Mariners): .250 AVG, 1 HR, 12 RBI, .620 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • SS — Thomas Saggese (St. Louis Cardinals): .258 AVG, 2 HR, 25 RBI, .638 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 3B — Andrew Fischer (Milwaukee Brewers organization): No MLB games in 2025; he signed with Milwaukee in July 2025 after his college season.
  • DH — Jac Caglianone (Kansas City Royals): .157 AVG, 7 HR, 18 RBI, .532 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • LF — Zach Dezenzo (Houston Astros): .245 AVG, 2 HR, 10 RBI, .688 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • CF — Jakob Marsee (Miami Marlins): .292 AVG, 5 HR, 33 RBI, .842 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • RF — Dominic Canzone (Seattle Mariners): .300 AVG, 11 HR, 32 RBI, .840 OPS in 2025 MLB.

Projected starting pitchers

  • RHP Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies): 5-10, 6.01 ERA, 97 K, 1.35 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Dylan DeLucia (Cleveland Guardians organization): No MLB games in 2025; he pitched in the minors in Cleveland’s system.
  • RHP Michael Lorenzen (Kansas City Royals in 2025): 7-11, 4.67 ERA, 127 K in 27 appearances (26 starts) in 2025 MLB. He is on Italy’s WBC staff and is now with Colorado for 2026.
  • LHP Samuel Aldegheri (Los Angeles Angels): 0-2, 7.90 ERA, 12 K, 2.20 WHIP in 2025 MLB.

Projected closer
  • RHP Adam Ottavino (New York Yankees): projected late-inning closer; 0 saves, 0.00 ERA, 3 K, 2.40 WHIP in limited 2025 MLB action. Italy also has other late-game options such as Ron Marinaccio and Matt Festa, so this role could be matchup-based.
 
Venezuela

Projected starters

  • 1B — Luis Arraez (San Francisco Giants): .292 AVG, 8 HR, 61 RBI, .719 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • C — Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals): .236 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI, .729 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 3B — Eugenio Suárez (Cincinnati Reds in 2026; 2025 season split ended with Cincinnati stat page listing him there): .228 AVG, 49 HR, 118 RBI, .824 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • DH — Gleyber Torres (Detroit Tigers): .262 AVG, 13 HR, 60 RBI, .762 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • SS — Maikel Garcia (Kansas City Royals): .286 AVG, 16 HR, 74 RBI, .800 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 2B — Andrés Giménez (Toronto Blue Jays): .210 AVG, 7 HR, 35 RBI, .598 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • LF — Jackson Chourio (Milwaukee Brewers): .270 AVG, 21 HR, 78 RBI, .770 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • CF — Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves): .290 AVG, 21 HR, 42 RBI, .935 OPS in 2025 MLB. MLB’s Venezuela roster story also notes he returned in 2025 with a .935 OPS, 21 homers and 9 steals in 95 games.
  • RF — Wilyer Abreu (Boston Red Sox): .247 AVG, 22 HR, 69 RBI, .786 OPS in 2025 MLB.
Projected starting pitchers / rotation

  • LHP Ranger Suárez (Philadelphia Phillies in 2025): 12-8, 3.20 ERA, 151 K, 1.22 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • LHP Eduardo Rodríguez (Arizona Diamondbacks): 9-9, 5.02 ERA, 143 K, 1.54 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Germán Márquez (Colorado Rockies): 3-16, 6.70 ERA, 83 K, 1.71 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • LHP Enmanuel De Jesus (KT Wiz, KBO): 9-9, 3.96 ERA, 165 K, 1.33 WHIP in 2025 KBO.
  • RHP Pablo López (Minnesota Twins): 5-4, 2.74 ERA, 73 K, 1.11 WHIP in 2025 MLB, but he is not expected to pitch in the WBC after Tommy John surgery in February 2026, so this spot is fluid.
Projected closer

  • RHP Daniel Palencia (Chicago Cubs): 22 saves, 2.91 ERA, 61 K, 1.14 WHIP in 2025 MLB. World Baseball Network also labels him Venezuela’s likely closer.
One alternate starter note

  • If Venezuela goes with the other common projection behind the plate, William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers) had .260 AVG, 17 HR, 76 RBI, .754 OPS in 2025 MLB.
 
Japan not as good this year.

Projected starters


  • C — Kenya Wakatsuki (Orix Buffaloes, NPB): .272 AVG, 6 HR, 31 RBI, .314 OBP, .375 SLG in 2025.
  • 1B — Munetaka Murakami (Tokyo Yakult Swallows, NPB): .273 AVG, 22 HR, 47 RBI, .379 OBP, .663 SLG in 2025.
  • 3B — Teruaki Sato (Hanshin Tigers, NPB): .277 AVG, 40 HR, 102 RBI, .345 OBP, .579 SLG in 2025.
  • DH — Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers): .282 AVG, 55 HR, 102 RBI, 1.014 OPS in 2025 MLB. He is expected to be DH only for Japan.
  • SS — Sosuke Genda (Saitama Seibu Lions, NPB): .209 AVG, 0 HR, 20 RBI, .269 OBP, .275 SLG in 2025.
  • 2B — Shugo Maki (Yokohama DeNA BayStars, NPB): .277 AVG, 16 HR, 49 RBI, .325 OBP, .475 SLG in 2025.
  • LF — Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox): .266 AVG, 4 HR, 26 RBI, .696 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • CF — Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs): .245 AVG, 32 HR, 103 RBI, .804 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • RF — Kensuke Kondoh (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, NPB): .301 AVG, 10 HR, 41 RBI, .410 OBP, .492 SLG in 2025.

Projected starting pitchers
  • RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers): 12-8, 2.49 ERA, 201 K, 0.99 WHIP in 2025 MLB. He’s the expected Game 1 starter and rotation anchor.
  • LHP Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels): 7-11, 3.99 ERA, 174 K, 1.42 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (Baltimore Orioles in 2025): 10-10, 4.64 ERA, 106 K, 1.33 WHIP in 2025 MLB. MLB’s Japan preview lists him among the expected rotation anchors.
  • RHP Hiromi Itoh (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, NPB): 14-8, 2.52 ERA, 195 K in 196.2 IP in 2025. He was Japan’s probable starter for the Czech Republic game in the current schedule projection.

Projected closer
  • RHP Taisei Ota (Yomiuri Giants, NPB): best current projection for the ninth inning after injuries/withdrawals thinned the closer competition. In 2025 he went 8-4 with 1 save, 46 holds, a 2.11 ERA, and 60 K in 59.2 IP. Just Baseball said Taisei was among the arms competing for closing duties, and after Kaima Taira and Yuki Matsui dropped out, the role looks even more open.

One lineup caveat
  • Shortstop is the biggest lineup swing spot. 11Point7 projects Genda, but Just Baseball expects Kaito Kozono (Hiroshima Toyo Carp) to get the starting SS job. Kozono hit .309 with 3 HR and 47 RBI in 2025 NPB
 
Puerto Rico - Missing some studs due to insurance.

Projected starting lineup (with 2025 MLB stats

  • C — Martín Maldonado: .204 AVG, 4 HR, 12 RBI, .572 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 1B — Emmanuel Rivera: .250 AVG, 0 HR, 13 RBI, .575 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 2B — Willi Castro: 120 G, .226 AVG, 11 HR, 33 RBI, 10 SB in 2025 MLB.
  • SS — Edwin Arroyo: No MLB games in 2025; he played in the Reds’ system and hit .284 at Double-A Chattanooga in 2025.
  • 3B — Nolan Arenado: 107 G, .237 AVG, 12 HR, 52 RBI in 2025 MLB.
  • DH — Carlos Cortes: .309 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI, .866 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • LF — Heliot Ramos: .256 AVG, 21 HR, 69 RBI, .728 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • CF — Bryan Torres: No MLB games in 2025; he spent 2025 in the Cardinals’ minor league system.
  • RF — Eddie Rosario: 8 AB, 1 H, .125 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .250 OPS in 2025 MLB.

Projected starting pitchers / rotation candidates
  • RHP Seth Lugo: 8-7, 4.15 ERA, 125 K, 1.29 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP José Berríos: 9-5, 4.17 ERA, 138 K, 1.30 WHIP in 2025 MLB. 11Point7 lists him as a second-round arm.
  • RHP José De León: 0 SV, 4.05 ERA, 8 K, 1.65 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • LHP Eduardo Rivera: No MLB games in 2025; he was in the Red Sox system on a minor league deal.
  • RHP Elmer Rodríguez: No MLB games in 2025; MLB’s Puerto Rico preview highlighted his 2025 minor league season: 2.58 ERA, 176 K in 150 IP across three levels.

Closer
  • RHP Edwin Díaz is Puerto Rico’s clear star closer. In 2025 MLB, he had 28 saves, 1.63 ERA, 98 K, 0.87 WHIP.

One lineup note: another projection source has Christian Vázquez catching instead of Maldonado and uses Darell Hernaiz in the infield, so catcher/infield alignment is still the shakiest part of the projected nine.
 
kane said:
Good stuff, thanks for posting, I played a future on DR +400
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That’s a good bet.because Japan is much weaker than previous classic. I took them to win their pool. PR will be fun to watch with home field and crazy fans.
 
Canada

Projected starters
  • 2B — Tyler Black (2025 team: Milwaukee Brewers): .250 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .913 OPS in limited 2025 MLB action.
  • 3B — Abraham Toro (2025 team: Boston Red Sox): .239 AVG, 7 HR, 27 RBI, .659 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • 1B — Josh Naylor (2025 team: Seattle Mariners): .295 AVG, 20 HR, 92 RBI, .816 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • RF — Tyler O’Neill (2025 team: Baltimore Orioles): .199 AVG, 9 HR, 26 RBI, .684 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • LF — Owen Caissie (2025 team: Chicago Cubs; traded to Miami after the season): .192 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .568 OPS in 12 MLB games in 2025.
  • SS — Otto Lopez (2025 team: Miami Marlins): .246 AVG, 15 HR, 77 RBI, .672 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • DH — Matt Davidson (2025 team: NC Dinos, KBO): .293 AVG, 36 HR, 97 RBI, .965 OPS in 2025 KBO.
  • C — Bo Naylor (2025 team: Cleveland Guardians): .195 AVG, 14 HR, 47 RBI, .661 OPS in 2025 MLB.
  • CF — Denzel Clarke (2025 team: Athletics): .230 AVG, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .646 OPS in 2025 MLB.

Projected starting pitchers / rotation
  • RHP Michael Soroka (2025 team: Washington Nationals/Chicago Cubs): 3-8, 4.52 ERA, 95 K, 1.13 WHIP in 2025 MLB. He’s lined up as Canada’s probable starter vs. Colombia.
  • RHP Jameson Taillon (2025 team: Chicago Cubs): 11-7, 3.68 ERA, 98 K, 1.06 WHIP in 2025 MLB. He’s the probable starter vs. Panama.
  • RHP Cal Quantrill (2025 team: Miami Marlins): 4-12, 6.04 ERA, 85 K, 1.45 WHIP in 2025 MLB. Current previews list him as a likely pool-play starter.
  • LHP Logan Allen (2025 team: NC Dinos, KBO): the fourth spot is less settled, but he started Canada’s March 3 exhibition game and is on the official roster as a starter. Some previews instead mention James Paxton for the Cuba game.

Projected closer
  • LHP Rob Zastryzny (2025 team: Milwaukee Brewers): 1-2, 1 save, 2.45 ERA, 20 K, 1.18 WHIP in 2025 MLB. I’m listing him as the best on-roster closer projection, but this is an inference: Canada’s ninth inning looks unsettled. Earlier previews pointed to Matt Brash, but Brash is not on the official roster, and recent Mariners coverage says he isn’t going to the WBC.

Alternate lineup note
  • If you want the more MLB-heavy alternate at 2B, Edouard Julien (2025 team: Minnesota Twins) hit .220 with 3 HR, 12 RBI, and a .633 OPS in 2025, and MLB/other
 
Cuba. Liván Moinelo may be a play.

Projected starters
  • 1B — Malcom Nuñez (Pittsburgh Pirates): Projected starting 1B. Official roster lists him with Pittsburgh.
  • C — Omar Hernández (Kansas City Royals): .225 AVG, 0 HR, 23 RBI, 10 SB, .534 OPS (2025 MiLB).
  • 3B — Yoán Moncada (Los Angeles Angels): .190 AVG, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .656 OPS (2025 MLB). His season was injury interrupted, and some source snippets showed partial-season numbers.
  • DH — Yoel Yanqui (Indios del Boer): Projected DH.
  • SS — Alexander Vargas (Cincinnati Reds): .229 AVG, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 26 SB, .645 OPS (2025 MiLB).
  • 2B — Yiddi Cappe (Miami Marlins): .278 AVG, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 29 SB, .722 OPS (2025 MiLB).
  • LF — Roel Santos (Bravos de Margarita): .225 AVG, 0 HR, 11 RBI, .603 OPS (2025 LVBP).
  • CF — Yoelkis Guibert: .278 AVG, 4 HR, .346 OBP, .360 SLG (2025 line surfaced in search). Team context was not clearly surfaced.
  • RF — Ariel Martínez (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters): .174 AVG, 1 HR, 8 RBI, .466 OPS (2025 NPB).

Projected starting pitchers
  • RHP Denny Larrondo (Arizona Diamondbacks): Projected rotation arm. Club and 2025 Single-A/High-A context confirmed, but no trustworthy full-season final line was clearly available.
  • LHP Julio Robaina (Tigres de Quintana Roo): Projected rotation arm. Club confirmed; no reliable final 2025 stat line was clearly available.
  • LHP Liván Moinelo (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks): 12-3, 1.46 ERA, 172 K in 167 IP (2025 NPB).
  • LHP Randy Martínez (Chunichi Dragons): 0-2, 3.86 ERA, 6 K in 9.1 IP (2025 Western League / NPB farm).

Projected closer
  • RHP Raidel Martínez (Yomiuri Giants): 46 saves, 1.11 ERA, 65 K in 56.2 IP (2025 NPB).

Important bullpen note
  • RHP Yariel Rodríguez (Toronto Blue Jays): 2 saves, 3.08 ERA, 66 K, 1.15 WHIP (2025 MLB). Even if he is not the listed closer, he may be Cuba’s top high-leverage arm.
 
raiders72001 said:
Italy


Projected starting pitchers

  • RHP Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies): 5-10, 6.01 ERA, 97 K, 1.35 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
  • RHP Dylan DeLucia (Cleveland Guardians organization): No MLB games in 2025; he pitched in the minors in Cleveland’s system.
  • RHP Michael Lorenzen (Kansas City Royals in 2025): 7-11, 4.67 ERA, 127 K in 27 appearances (26 starts) in 2025 MLB. He is on Italy’s WBC staff and is now with Colorado for 2026.
  • LHP Samuel Aldegheri (Los Angeles Angels): 0-2, 7.90 ERA, 12 K, 2.20 WHIP in 2025 MLB.
Click to expand...

I'm confident I could get a few seeing eye grounders thru against this staff.

If there's no 10-run mercy rule in WBC there should be. Their "hitters" not much better.

Give me a sawbuck on EOG, listed pitchers.

Good stuff Raiders.
 
Not betting it but likely another world title for the USA.

Just like pucks the boys dig deep to win another one for Trump.

He's right, almost getting tired of all this winning! The pride is back.
 
I wasn't only wrong, I was "Winky wrong".

I didn't think Italy could compete, they're 3-0 and beat the USA.

I almost laid -1400 or so for the free unit in the Best Bet thread......

At least I saved myself that humiliation.

The good news those Florida Gators dominate sports where ever they're played.

WTG big boy, going to hit a lot for KC this year.
 
raiders72001 said:
Amazing for the US to be in this situation.
Click to expand...
The tie breaker they use is ridiculous, I understand only playing 4 games it's hard to come up with a fair tiebreaker, but the way they're doing it is odd. I gotta be honest, I was rooting for Italy, and I hope the USA team gets knocked out today, I have futures on the DR and Japan, and with the US out of the way it gives an easier path for one of my teams. Sorry, but Aaron Judge isn't putting food on my table
 
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