As the World Baseball Classic enters the quarterfinal stage Friday, there's been movement atop the oddsboard.
The United States remains the favorite at +140, but the Dominican Republic and Japan have narrowed the gap after both teams went 4-0 in the group stage. The Americans finished second in their pool, with a loss to Italy costing them the top spot.
Odds to win WBC
| Team | Current odds | Pre-tournament odds |
|---|---|---|
| United States | +140 | -110 |
| Dominican Republic | +225 | +450 |
| Japan | +350 | +375 |
| Venezuela | +900 | +1000 |
| Puerto Rico | +1600 | +2500 |
| Italy | +2000 | +10000 |
| Canada | +4000 | +7500 |
| Korea | +5000 | +10000 |
The Dominicans were electric during the group stage, leading the tournament in home runs (13), runs (41), and batting average (.313). Their lineup is loaded with sluggers, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Junior Caminero, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto. They'll face Korea on Friday with a berth in the semifinals on the line.
The Americans will play Canada in the quarters, and they're a heavy favorite (-800) to advance past their northern rivals. Before falling to Italy in its final game of the group stage, the U.S. largely handled its other opponents - Brazil, Great Britain, and Mexico - with ease.
Japan swept its pool, which met in Tokyo, and will now travel to Miami for the elimination stage. Shohei Ohtani and Co. will take on Venezuela on Saturday.
Speaking of Ohtani, he's the current favorite to win WBC MVP. He's hit .556 in three games at the plate along with two homers and six RBIs. However, he's not expected to pitch in the tournament, which would significantly boost his candidacy.
MVP odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani | +550 |
| Aaron Judge | +650 |
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | +1200 |
| Juan Soto | +1200 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | +1500 |
| Junior Caminero | +1600 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | +1600 |
| Kyle Schwarber | +2500 |
| Roman Anthony | +2500 |
| Ronald Acuña | +2500 |
| Bryce Harper | +3000 |
| Julio Rodríguez | +3000 |
| Paul Skenes | +3000 |
👉 Check out all of the World Baseball Classic odds available on theScore Bet here
Multiple Dominicans have contributed to the team's strong offensive output, leaving them without a clear favorite in the MVP market. However, the honor may likely go to someone on the winning team, so if you're picking them to win the tournament, players such as Caminero and Guerrero are solid options to back.
Paul Skenes is the only pitcher with MVP odds of +3000 or shorter, highlighting the domination that hitters have produced throughout the tournament.
US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at www.connexontario.ca.
