MIAMI.- United Stateswith a “Dream Team” headed by Aaron Judgewants to take revenge Japan of Shohei Ohtani and recover the title of World Baseball Classicwhich started this Wednesday night with the largest constellation of stars ever seen in this sport.
In addition to Judge and Ohtani, the MVPs (Most Valuable Player) of the last two seasons of the Major Leaguesthe poster for this sixth edition of the Classic brings together practically all of today’s best talents, including those from Latin American powers.
Twenty teams from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania will compete in a competition that begins with a group stage divided into four venues in Japan (Tokyo), Puerto Rico (San Juan) and the United States (Houston and Miami).
The quarter-final ties have been played since March 13 at the Los Angeles Stadium. Houston Astros and in the Miami Marlinswhich will host the semifinals and final on March 17.
In addition to the title, the American teams will also compete for two tickets to the Olympic tournament. Los Angeles 2028.
While the participation of Major League players in Los Angeles 2028 is confirmed, the Classic is the great opportunity to enjoy a national team tournament with the best bats in the world.
“More than 70 players in this edition have played at some point in their career in the All-Star Game (Major League), 35 of them in 2025. As far as competition is concerned, it will be the most competitive,” he told AFP. Carlos Alvareznarrator of the event for Fox Deportes.
Three-time champion Japan
El Clásico has been gaining relevance since it replaced the now defunct Baseball World Cup more than a decade ago.
The contest, however, reached new heights in the 2023 final, when Ohtani took the mound in the ninth inning to strike out the American captain, Mike Troutand secure Japan’s third title.
The superstar of Los Angeles Dodgerswho is still managing his presence on the mound due to an old injury, will not pitch for “Samurai Japan” this year, but he can trust his teammate Yoshinobu Yamamotothe MVP in the Los Angeles victory last time World Series.
Japan will play in Group C, in Tokyo, against South Korea, Australia, Taiwan and Czech Republic.
USA, dream team
Team USA has recruited the best possible team to regain the title, starting with Judge, leader of the New York Yankeesand the only two Americans to surpass him in home runs in 2025: Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners) and Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies).
The differential point compared to the last edition is the firepower in the pitching staff, which will feature the winners of the latest Cy Young awards: Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers).
The United States will compete in Group B, in Houston, with Brazil, United Kingdom, Italy and Mexico.
El Tri, with Randy Arozarena (Seattle Mariners) at the helm, aspires to repeat what was done in the last tournament, when it reached the semifinals and beat the United States in the group stage.
A victory in this edition of Mexico, or another Latin American team, against the United States could have even more special value due to the social context generated by the anti-immigration campaign of the government of donald trump.
“Against the United States, as it is the maximum power on paper, you always put in all the effort and the adrenaline is one hundred percent,” the former Mexican player told AFP. Edgar Gonzalez, who participated in the Classic as a player and coach.
“This year, although I don’t think anything is going to change on the field of play. Outside, for the fans and for everyone, I think the meaning of winning a game is going to be greater. There will be a thought about everything that is happening in the United States,” he said.
Dominican Republic, the threat
Although the United States and Japan start as favorites, the Dominican Republicchampion in 2013, also looks like a fearsome squad.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.which led to Toronto Blue Jays to the World Series, and Juan Sotoleader of the New York Mets, head a plethora of talent that includes Julio Rodríguez (sailors) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego Padres).
The Dominicans will play in Group D, in Miami, with Venezuela, Israel, Netherlands and Nicaragua.
Venezuela will try to get into the fight with a team led by Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) and powerful launchers like Ranger Suarez (Boston Red Sox).
Puerto Ricowithout Francisco Lindor neither Carlos Correa due to insurance policy issues, will host its own Group A matches against Cuba, Panama, Colombia and Canada.
