We are days away from the start of the World Baseball Classic. Team USA will play an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, followed by another against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, before heading to Houston, Texas, for group play.
This is going to be one of the best WBC's of all time, because it comes right after the Winter Olympics, where many Americans and citizens/fans in other countries want to continue waving their respective flags.
Team USA is favored to win the WBC in the betting world. Every sportsbook has the United States winning the crown over Japan and the Dominican Republic. The MVP race is going to be a battle as well, and USA captain Aaron Judge is expected to win the award over Shohei Ohtani.
FanDuel gives us the latest odds before the event starts on Thursday.
World Baseball Classic Odds: 2026 Winner Odds
USA: -110
Japan: +380
Dominican Republic: +410
Venezuela: +850
Mexico: +2200
Puerto Rico: +2500
Canada: +6000
Italy: +7500
South Korea: +8000
Cuba: +10000
Netherlands: +10000
Colombia: +10000
World Baseball Classic Odds: 2026 MVP Winner Odds
Aaron Judge: +750
Shohei Ohtani: +1100
Paul Skenes: +1600
Bryce Harper: +1700
Kyle Schwarber: +1700
Bobby Witt Jr: +1900
Logan Webb: +2000
Vladimir Gurerro Jr: +2200
Gunner Henderson: +2200
Juan Soto: +2700
That is a lot of talent out there representing their countries.
Team USA will take on Mexico for their third game, which will be the toughest game for the Americans. Mexico went on to beat the United States in 2023, but would lose to Japan in the semifinals in a heartbreaker in the 9th inning. Mexico is very good and is a sleeper for this tournament.
Japan should easily go 4-0 in group play. The toughest game they will play will be against South Korea. Japan will likely have the same run they did in 2023 unless they lose in the knockout rounds.
The Dominican Republic has the best offense/lineup in the tournament, and it isn't close. They are going to be a serious threat to win it all if the pitching steps up. The pitching is not on the same level as the bats they have in that lineup. They will battle with Venezuela which is a very good team also.
In the final group, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Cuba are going to battle for the top spot in the group. Puerto Rico is expected to win the group, but Canada and Cuba can find a way to get it done.
