Getting to this point has been an arduous one, but two of the pre-World Baseball Classic favorites will be battling it out for gold Tuesday in Miami.
On the one hand, the United States got off to a rocky start. They were defeated by Mexico in an 11-5 loss that was somehow even more one-sided than the result suggests. Since then, however, the United States have won their last three games, dominating Canada and edging out Colombia. The last game, a 14-2 laugh in the semis against Cuba, showed that this vaunted line-up might finally live up to their expectations.
Japan, meanwhile, is the only undefeated team to take part in this tournament. Samurai Japan won 4-0 in pool, defeated Italy 9-3 in the quarterfinals and beat Mexico 6-5 thanks to two-time Central League MVP Munetaka Murakami. Murakami, who scored three goals against Mexico in the semifinals, became a hero with a double to drive in Shohei Ohtani and pinch-runner Ukyo Shuto, earning Japan its first WBC final since 2009.
Ohtani and Japan will face off against his teammate Mike Trout and the United States, creating a duel between two of the best players of this generation.
Merrill Kelly will stand on the hill for the United States and Shota Imanaga will start for Japan. Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two of Japan’s best, are ineligible after 50 throws on Monday, but veteran Yu Darvish is expected to be available. The big question, of course, is whether Shohei Ohtani will take the hit.
Jugo Mobile will be following the USA vs. Japan match live as Japan seek their third WBC win and the United States their second straight win.
Score USA vs. Japan
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | F | |
| USA | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Japan | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
USA vs. Japan Live-Updates, Highlights der World Baseball Classic Championship
(All times Easter)
6:10 p.m. — Munetaka Murakami was a big topic of conversation on the way to the WBC. The back-to-back Central League MVP in the NPB, who set a player-record 56 home runs of Japanese descent last year, has struggled in the Classic. He bats .227 with an OPS of .743 through the semis. But whatever the numbers, his WBC is a success after his walkoff double against Giovanny Gallegos to lead Japan to the championship. He has five RBIs in this classic, and if Turner’s grand slam isn’t the WBC’s biggest hit yet, it is Munetaka’s double against Mexico.
JAPAN GO! JAPAN GO! ???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/K5VBlpIyTC
– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023
18:05 — Japan’s line-up is similar to that against Mexico, with Lars Nootbaar, Kensuke Kondoh and Shohei Ohtani forming the top three. Masataka Yoshida, signed by the Red Sox in the offseason, is back in the cleanup while Monday’s hero Munetaka Murakami bats for fifth. Kazuma Okamoto, Tetsuto Yamada, Bunting Extraordinaire Sosuke Genda and standout batter Yuhei Nakamura make up the rest of the order.
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Japan’s starting lineup for today’s WBC championship‼️ pic.twitter.com/MAf3G2kgP5
– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023
6 p.m. — Japan and the United States are the top two teams in the WBC by OPS so far. Japan is at 0.986 and the US is at 0.969. The US also leads the WBC in home runs with 10, while Japan is tied with multiple teams in second place with 7. Trea Turner has four homers to his name so far, including one of the biggest of any team’s Classics: the eighth-inning grand slam that propelled Team USA to a win over Venezuela.
5:50 p.m. — Here are the lineups for the WBC. The United States will remain at the top of the order that got it here: Mookie Betts-Mike Trout-Paul Goldschmidt. Nolan Arenado cleans up. Philly fans, stay tuned. 5-6-7 are Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and JT Realmuto. Rounding out the assignment are Cedric Mullins and Tim Anderson.
????️ USA!@USABaseball‘s line-up for today’s WBC championship ????????⚾️ pic.twitter.com/dGZWReP1Da
– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023
5:40 p.m. — For the United States, Merrill Kelly is on the brink. Kelly, a Diamondbacks dealer, has three innings in a game this WBC. He allowed four goals and two runs in a crucial game against Colombia. In MLB, Kelly threw 200 1/3 innings in 2022 and recorded a 3.37 ERA.
17:30 – Shota Imanaga represents Japan. The Yokohama DeNa BayStars dealer has pitched four innings in two games, but this will be his first start at the WBC. Imanaga has allowed three hits and one run in those games. Last year in NPB he pitched 158 2/3 innings and hit a 2.04 ERA.
5:10 p.m. — Will we see these Angels teammates square off tonight? Shohei Ohtani is eligible to pitch. But he may or may not see the mound after serving against Italy in the quarterfinals.
Reunited on the biggest stage in the world. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/AHrsjfADzO
– MLBPA (@MLBPA) March 21, 2023
Start time USA vs. Japan
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT
The first pitch for the United States clash with Japan is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).
The 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game will be played at LoanDepot Park in Miami, home of the MLB Marlins.
How to watch USA vs. Japan in World Baseball Classic
- TV channel: FS1
- Live broadcast: FoxSports.com, Fubo
The 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship between Team USA and Japan will be broadcast on FS1. Fans can also stream the game live on or with FoxSports.com Fubo that offers a free trial.
