2023 World Baseball Classic Kicks Off with Major League Talent and Broadcast Availability
The 2023 World Baseball Classic is now underway, with the first round of pool play already completed in Asia and the action now starting in Miami and Phoenix.[0] In the WBC, there are four pools, and during the initial round, each team faces off against every other team in their pool once.[1] The teams with the two best records in each pool advance to the quarterfinals, and from there it is essentially a single-elimination eight-team tournament.[1]
In a historic move, the Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic will feature Major League players on its roster for the first time.[2] Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert, the two stars of the Chicago White Sox, will be two of the central figures on the Cuban roster.[2] Yoenis Cespedes, the former All-Star outfielder, and a handful of minor leaguers will also be playing for the country.
The pitch clock, bigger bases and shift restrictions that were set to be implemented in the MLB in 2023 will NOT be used in the tournament.[2] Instead, the rules used in the 2022 season will be followed.
The championship round will take place in Miami, with the quarterfinals beginning on March 17-18.[3] The semifinals will then be held on March 19-20 and the championship game will take place on March 21.
The World Baseball Classic is broadcast live on FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes and Tubi, so fans can easily watch the games.[3] There are also international broadcasts available for those outside of the United States.[3]
If you’re looking for some games to watch, the Mexico vs. Great Britain game will be airing at 10 p.m.[1] ET on FS1, as well as the Australia vs. Cuba quarterfinal game at 6 a.m.[1] ET, also on FS1.[4] The Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela game will be on FS1 at 4 p.m.[5] PT. For those looking to stay up late, Korea vs. China will be on at 6 a.m.[6] ET.[7]
The mercy rule is a 15-run lead after five innings and a 10-run lead after seven innings.[8] Furthermore, the tiebreaker is determined by the number of runs allowed, so it is advantageous to increase the score.[7] Every run you score against your opponent harms their tiebreaker chances and could be beneficial to you later.[7]
0. “Orioles Cedric Mullins and Team USA begin World Baseball Classic tonight” Camden Chat, 11 Mar. 2023, https://www.camdenchat.com/2023/3/11/23633823/baltimore-orioles-news-rumors-world-baseball-classic-united-states-cedric-mullins-2023
1. “World Baseball Classic standings: Updated results, scores from the 2023 WBC tournament” Sporting News, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/2023-world-baseball-classic-standings-results-scores/q70xjj5m5gliodwzldlhq3sl
2. “What the 2023 World Baseball Classic means for Cuba” ESPN, 12 Mar. 2023, https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35850122/world-baseball-classic-2023-team-cuba
3. “World Baseball Classic 2023: How to watch, schedule, Team USA roster and more” Yahoo Sports, 7 Mar. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/world-baseball-classic-2023-how-to-watch-schedule-team-usa-roster-and-more-191359513.html
4. “World Baseball Classic Pool Play Open Game Thread: VEN vs. DR, GB vs. USA, etc.” Lookout Landing, 11 Mar. 2023, https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2023/3/11/23635542/world-baseball-classic-pool-play-open-game-thread-ven-vs-dr-gb-vs-usa-etc
5. “TV and Streaming Viewing Picks for March 13, 2023: how to watch World Baseball Classic” Awful Announcing, 13 Mar. 2023, https://awfulannouncing.com/viewing-picks/tv-and-streaming-viewing-picks-for-march-13-2023-how-to-watch-world-baseball-classic.html
6. “World Baseball Classic Recap: Team USA Loses; Four Teams Advance” Pirates Prospects, 13 Mar. 2023, https://www.piratesprospects.com/2023/03/world-baseball-classic-recap-team-usa-loses-four-teams-advance.html
7. “Team USA score: Mike Trout homers as U.S. blows out Canada 12-1 in World Baseball Classic mercy-rule win” CBS Sports, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/team-usa-score-mike-trout-homers-as-u-s-blows-out-canada-12-1-in-world-baseball-classic-mercy-rule-win/live/
8. “World Baseball Classic explainer: Everything you need to know about the tournament” The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2023, https://theathletic.com/4273126/2023/03/07/world-baseball-classic-2023-schedule-teams-rules/
