WBC Watchlist: 3-6-2026
The first full day of the tournament is full of pleasant experiences.
We’re three games into the World Baseball Classic and I’m already having a ball. Australia opened the festivities with a 3-0 shutout win over Taiwan, an upset that’s already sent shockwaves through Pool C. Korea followed that up with a dominant 11-4 triumph over Czechia, flexing its offense along the way thanks to two home runs by Shay Whitcomb and a grand slam by Bo Gyeong Moon. Australia then picked up its second win of the tournament versus Czechia, putting the Aussies on the right track toward making it out of the group while essentially eliminating the Czechs.
All those games were just the appetizers, though. The real meat and potatoes begin today.
As you’re reading this, the first matchup of the day between Japan and Taiwan is probably well under way, or maybe even over. I can’t forecast the future about how that game is going to transpire, but I’ll predict that Japan comes out on top and that Shohei Ohtani hits a homer that sends the Tokyo Dome into absolute hysterics. If I’m wrong, make sure to send my personal assistant, Toby, a rude email regarding my incompetence.
Once Japan and Taiwan wrap up their big-time clash in the early morning, you’ll need to take a quick power nap, grab some caffeine (I don’t care how you ingest it, but I promise you’ll need it), and sit down on the couch/recliner/lawn chair/office chair and prepare for some amazing baseball. And if you want around-the-clock coverage of all the games, make sure to subscribe by clicking the button below!
Note: All times are ET.
The Earliest Window of All Time
Primary Screen: Japan vs. Taiwan – 5 a.m. – FS1
Taiwan had a fantastic contingent show up to the Tokyo Dome for the team’s opening game against Australia. They’ll certainly be outnumbered by the rabid Japanese faithful who are sure to bring the noise and create an atmosphere that few baseball events can challenge. Watch this game — either live or on tape delay, it doesn’t matter. This bout is going to be a spectacle, if only for the fact that Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Seiya Suzuki, and many other Japanese stars will be suiting up for their home country once again. That’s always a sight to behold.
Early Window
Primary Screen: Mexico vs. Great Britain – 1 p.m. – FS1
Secondary Screen: Netherlands vs. Venezuela – 12 p.m. – Tubi
Tertiary Screen: Cuba vs. Panama – 11 a.m. – FS2
All three games in the early window present their own interesting storylines. Can Great Britain pull off a monumental upset over Mexico with its new and slightly improved roster? How will the Netherlands fare after the disappointing news that Jurickson Profar will not be available due to him making some stupid decisions? Can Venezuela shake off the heartbreak from the last WBC and start the tournament off on the right foot? And what are we going to see from Cuba and Panama? Yes, the Cubans have had a lot of success in the WBC in the past, but the roster is extremely depleted — at least compared to the tournament’s prior iterations. Panama, meanwhile, might be the dark horse out of Pool A. It can prove that moniker right if it comes out of the gates with a win in its opening game.
Evening Window
Primary Screen: United States vs. Brazil – 8 p.m. – FOX
Secondary Screen: Puerto Rico vs. Colombia – 6 p.m. – FS1
Tertiary Screen: Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic – 7 p.m. – FS2
The United States is probably going to beat the brakes off Brazil, and I can’t wait to watch. This lineup, which I wrote about extensively the other day after the team’s exhibition matchup with the San Francisco Giants, is unlike any I’ve ever seen before. Unfortunately for Brazil, it’s about to bear the full weight of America’s quest to redeem itself from 2023’s failure.
Pool A is wide open, and Puerto Rico’s clash with Colombia could be an important game in deciding which country moves on and which one goes home. Puerto Rico is the obvious favorite here — it has a deep baseball history, the better roster, and it’s the host — but Colombia’s got some chops that it’ll seek to put on display.
The Dominican Republic just got the unfortunate news that shortstop Jeremy Peña fractured his finger. While that might set the team back a little in terms of how it compares to the U.S. and Japan, it doesn’t mean jack squat for the game against Nicaragua. The Dominican Republic should clobber the Nicaraguans. Any other result would be surprising, but also quite entertaining.
Late Window
Primary Screen: Taiwan vs. Czechia – 10 p.m. – FS2
The Czechs are pretty much done, and at the time of me writing this I have no idea how Taiwan will do against Japan. This game could very well be a meaningless matchup with zero stakes, or it could be do-or-die for Taiwan. I’ll be watching either way!