The World Baseball Classic is just around the corner and markets are open on the sport's top international tournament.
The latest: The Dominican Republic is the favourite, Japan is always a force to be reckoned with and the USA has a deep talent pool.
Here are the latest World Baseball Classic odds.
World Baseball Classic odds
Check out the latest odds to win the World Baseball Classic. Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip.
| Team | Odds (Mar. 5) | Odds (Feb. 25) |
| Dominican Republic | +220 | +210 |
| USA | +250 | +275 |
| Japan | +300 | +300 |
| Korea | +1,100 | +1,100 |
| Venezuela | +1,200 | +1,200 |
| Puerto Rico | +1,200 | +1,700 |
| Mexico | +1,700 | +1,700 |
| Cuba | +3,000 | +3,000 |
| Netherlands | +5,000 | +5,000 |
| Chinese Taipei | +5,000 | +5,000 |
| Canada | +7,500 | +7,500 |
| Italy | +7,500 | +7,500 |
Odds as of 12:26 p.m. on 03/05/2022.
Best World Series odds
The favourite: Dominican Republic (+220)
The Dominicans have the best team in the tournament on paper. Outside of the catching position, there are stars all around the diamond โ even with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. recently dropping out.
Presenting Team Dominican Republic for the 2023 World Baseball Classic! ๐ฉ๐ดโพ๏ธ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 9, 2023
๐บ: WBC on FOX/FS1 pic.twitter.com/TgPBQWovP5
On star power alone this team will be hard to beat. The pitching staff could use one more top-notch starter and maybe a high-leverage reliever, but ultimately that's nitpicking.
The 2013 champions have the highest ceiling of any team in the tournament, and this lineup in particular has an appealing combination of raw power, plate discipline and defensive ability.
Other World Baseball Classic choices
| Team | Odds (Mar 5) | Odds (Feb. 25) |
| Australia | +8,500 | +8,500 |
| Colombia | +9,000 | +9,000 |
| Panama | +10,000 | +10,000 |
| Israel | +12,000 | +12,000 |
| China | +15,000 | +15,000 |
| Great Britain | +20,000 | +20,000 |
| Czech Republic | +25,000 | +25,000 |
| Nicaragua | +25,000 | +25,000 |
Best value: Japan (+300)
These are solid odds for a country that has won two of the four World Baseball Classic titles, and never finished below third place.
Japan has baseball's most unstoppable player in two-way star Shohei Ohtani with three other MLB players โ Yu Darvish, Seiya Suzuki and Lars Nootbar โ confirmed to be on the roster.
Team Japan's #WorldBaseballClassic roster: pic.twitter.com/MiycxSRems
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 10, 2023
The country also has a massive Nippon Professional Baseball talent pool to draw on, and previous international competitions have shown that these players are capable of competing with the Western Hemisphere's best.
There's something to be said for a country that takes this tournament seriously, and that description certainly fits Japan. Because its pool of potential players is so large it's also able to construct a balanced team that goes together well as opposed to being forced to take the most talented guys regardless of their fit.
The top two Japanese free agents that signed with MLB teams this offseason โ outfielder Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox) and starting pitcher Kodai Senga (Mets) โ have gone in different directions as Yoshida is planning to suit up for his country while Senga is out.
Team to watch: USA (+250)
A bet on the Americans is a wager on the certainty of a quality team. There are 27 players who are confirmed to be on USA's roster and that group is full of studs like Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.
Introducing Team USA for the #WorldBaseballClassic! ๐บ๐ธ pic.twitter.com/0ALt4DdWHv
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 9, 2023
The downside with this team is that most of its best players are on the position-player side, and a pitching staff led by Merrill Kelly and Lance Lynn isn't spectacular. The loss of Nestor Cortes Jr. makes the team's biggest weakness a little bit shakier.
Yankees LHP Nestor Cortes Jr. out of World Baseball Classic, sources tell @TheAthletic. Was set to pitch for Team USA, but recently tweaked hamstring. Leaves C Kyle Higashioka (USA), 2B Gleyber Torres (Venezuela) and RH Jonathan Loรกisiga (Nicaragua) as only Yankees in tournament.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 13, 2023
Canada's World Baseball Classic odds
Championship odds: (+7,500)
If you're betting on Canada to win this tournament you should consider it more of a patriotic act than a profitable strategy.
The Canadians have yet to produce a top-four finish at the World Baseball Classic, and they're unlikely to buck that trend this season.
While there are some emerging Canadian talents at the MLB level like Josh Naylor, Tyler O'Neill and starter Cal Quantrill, this team looks seriously outgunned at this tournament. Freddie Freeman is an X-factor for the Canadians, but he's their only true star.
Pitching figures to be Canada's biggest issue as the country's best pitcher โ Mike Soroka โ isn't available due to injury concerns, and neither is Nick Pivetta. Depth behind Quantrill figures is a serious issue.
The bullpen is also a concern as the country's top reliever, Jordan Romano, is out.
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