Cuba will play Panama in the World Baseball Classic on Friday, March 6, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The game will start at 11 a.m. ET and can be streamed live on FS2.
Cuba is a -195 Moneyline favorite and an -1.5 (-130) run line favorite. The total is set at 9.
Here are my Cuba vs Panama picks and WBC prediction for March 6, 2026.
Cuba vs Panama Picks
- My Pick: Cuba ML (-195, DraftKings)
My Cuba vs Panama best bet is on Cuba to win this game.
Cuba vs Panama Odds
| Cuba Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -130 | 9 -105 / -120 | -195 |
| Panama Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 +105 | 9 -105 / -120 | +160 |
- Cuba vs Panama Moneyline: Cuba -195, Panama +160
- Cuba vs Panama Run Line: Cuba -1.5
- Cuba vs Panama Total: 9 (-105 / -120)
Cuba vs Panama Kalshi Odds
If you want to trade on Cuba vs Panama at Kalshi, do so with our Kalshi promo code. The prediction market is legal in most states and offers a variety of unique markets.
Cuba vs Panama WBC Prediction for March 6
Cuba Betting Preview
Cuba returns for redemption in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after a promising semifinal run in its last appearance (2023).
They are set to square off with Panama in Pool A’s first matchup at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Former Cuba shortstop Germán Mesa takes over as manager for the national team this year, having been promoted from his bench coach position in the last WBC in 2023.
Cuba currently ranks ninth in the futures market, posting an 80-to-1 price to prevail in the 2026 Classic.
Mesa’s club has a great mix of MLB and international talent, with several of its roster members playing professionally in the Serie Nacional, Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan), and numerous Italian leagues.
Some of the more recognizable names on Cuba’s roster are Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages, Blue Jays starting pitcher Yariel Rodriguez, Athletics second baseman Andy Ibáñez, and Angels’ utilityman Yoán Moncada.
While Moncada has battled injuries for the majority of his MLB career, he will definitely make a big impact for Cuba's lineup after posting a stellar .435 average with a team-leading 10 hits across 23 at-bats in the 2023 edition, which granted the Angels third baseman a selection to the All-World Baseball Classic team.
Despite Cuba’s vast success over the last five Classics, never having been eliminated before the quarterfinals, Mesa’s bunch is not projected to advance in 2026, ranking behind Puerto Rico, Canada, and Colombia, with a +225 price to qualify from Pool A.
Cuba is second-to-last in the futures market at +700 to win Pool A, solely ranked ahead of its Friday night opponent, Panama.
If the Cubans are to advance from their Pool for the sixth consecutive WBC, they definitely need some momentum, starting with a victory over Panama on Friday night prior to facing their three tougher opponents.
Left-hander Livan Moinelo is set to take the bump for Cuba in the first Pool A matchup versus Panama on Friday.
Panama Betting Preview
Upon failing to advance in each of its first three WBC appearances, Panama looks to reverse its fortune in 2026. They are currently ranked 12th in the futures market with a 100-to-1 price to win the 2026 Classic.
Panama has not had the best history at this event. They finished dead last in 2006 and 2009, and then failed to qualify in both of the next two Classics in 2013 and 2017.
In 2023, Panama finally secured its first-ever WBC victory, splitting its four contests and finishing with a 2-2 overall record. Unfortunately, they still failed to advance, having lost in a five-way tiebreaker.
Behind the leadership of its manager, José Mayorga, Panama has far greater optimism ahead of the 2026 Classic and will surely be looking to advance past the pool stage for the first time in the nation’s history in the World Baseball Classic.
While Panama’s roster features far fewer MLB players when compared to its international foes, Mayorga landed several big names to add to its 2026 roster, some of which include Yankees utility infielder Jose Caballero and Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya.
Would-be starting Panamanian catcher Ivan Herrera, who had an exceptional first season with the Cardinals, was unfortunately deemed ineligible to participate, adding further value to Amaya's presence.
Alongside the Yankees' Caballero, Edmundo Sosa rounds out a stacked Panama’s infield. The Phillies' second baseman is coming off the best season of his young MLB career, batting .276 with 11 HR and 10 RBIs.
Mayorga made another big-time addition to the team’s roster by adding Guardians' starting pitcher Logan Allen, who will more than likely slip into the top spot in Panama’s rotation.
They also landed a few more under-the-radar prospects in the MLB’s farm system. In its outfield, Panama starts speedster Enrique Bradfield Jr., who thrived in the Orioles farm system, stealing 74 bases for Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate this past season.
The Panamanians finally boast a roster with incredible talent, as Mayorga’s crew prepares to meet Cuba in Pool A’s first matchup.
How To Make My Cuba vs Panama World Baseball Classic Prediction
While I am very impressed by the improvements Panama has made to its roster, I still feel that Cuba is the right side in Friday’s Pool A opener.
This is undoubtedly one of the worst rosters Cuba has brought to the WBC in quite some time, but even so, they have a far superior lineup than their rivals.
Cuba also holds a substantial edge in its pitching staff, which has far more experience and depth than Panama's.
I definitely expect Cuba to prevail over Panama in Friday’s Pool A contest in what I expect to be a relatively close game, given the sizable improvements Panama has made to its roster ahead of the 2026 WBC.
Pick: Cuba ML (-195, DraftKings)
