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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 25: Philadelphia Phillies catcher/DH JT Realmuto (10) finishes a swing as he watches a hit during the Washington Nationals MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on August 25, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire)
As spring training approaches for the 2023 MLB season, so does the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and in partnership with Major League Baseball. All the countries of the world come together and compete to see who is the best baseball nation in the world. 2023 is the first competition since 2017 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, the United States won the tournament, and in 2023, several Phillies will try to help the USA repeat.
The World Baseball Classic will be loaded with Phillies talent
Three Philadelphia Phillies will join Team USA in March to compete in the WBC. The three Phillies who will represent Team USA are Trey Turner, JT Relmuto and Kyle Schwarber. Bryce Harper was committed before elbow surgery this offseason. They will join an all-star roster including players such as NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, Mookie Betts and team captain Mike Trout. Turner and Realmuto are likely to start for the USA, while Schwarber will play in the outfield if needed.
Phillies around the world
The Phillies don’t just have players committed to Team USA, they have players committed to representing countries around the world. New Phillies starting pitcher Taywan Walker has committed to play for Team Mexico in the WBC. Closer Serantoni Dominguez will represent the Dominican Republic, while lefty pitchers Ranger Suarez and Jose Alvarado will suit up for Venezuela. These four players will be important cogs in their respective rosters as they all look to make it past the group stage and into the knockout stages.
When Pool Play begins on March 11 for the United States, they will face Tyjaun Walker and Mexico on March 12 in Phoenix, Arizona (Pool C). Venezuela and the Dominican Republic meet in Pool D on March 11 to kick off the two-team tournament, with Alvarado and Dominguez likely to cap for their respective teams.
World Baseball Classic Betting Odds
The thing is, the USA is behind only the Dominican Republic in World Baseball Classic betting odds.
| Dominican Republic | +200 |
| USA | +250 |
| Japan | +350 |
| Puerto Rico | +1200 |
| Venezuela | +1800 |
| Mexico | +2000 |
You can get a FREE bet in the USA to win the World Baseball Classic by signing up for any of the betting offers below.
Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire
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