Before the MLB regular season gets underway, players from around the globe will compete for their countries in the World Baseball Classic.
Prediction market Kalshi has odds posted for each of the four teams in Pool A to win the pool, with Puerto Rico given overwhelming odds to advance.
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So, let's dive into some World Baseball Classic predictions.
World Baseball Classic Pool A Odds, Predictions
Odds are via Kalshi and update every hour.
The main story surrounding Puerto Rico isn't who will be playing for them, but who won't be. Because insurance provider National Financial Partners' refusal to insure the contracts of Puerto Rican stars Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, José Berriós, and Victor Caratini, among others, Puerto Rico's chances of competing deep into the tournament have been severely impacted.
Puerto Rico has the strongest roster — by far — of these four teams, as manager Yadier Molina's lineup features accomplished MLBers like Nolan Arenado, Willi Castro, Heliot Ramos, and Eddie Rosario, while the pitching staff boasts the likes of Seth Lugo, Edwin Díaz, Fernando Cruz, and more. Most of the other squads can't hold a candle to Puerto Rico's MLB talent.
Team Canada is without Freddie Freeman this year and will have to rely on the Naylor brothers, Tyler O'Neill, and Owen Caissie to lengthen the lineup. The most accomplished pitcher employed is Jameson Taillon, and the MLB depth thins out past Michael Soroka and Cal Quantrill.
Colombia features a few fun veteran names like Gio Urshela, Jorge Alfaro, José Quintana, Reiver Sanmartin, and even Julio Teheran, but no one who can anchor a lineup or staff. And even with defected MLBers allowed to join the team, Cuba has turned in a surprisingly uncompetitive roster, which features Yoán Moncada as its most accomplished professional star. Panama boasts a few interesting hitters in José Caballero, Miguel Amaya, and Edmundo Sosa, but not much pitching behind Logan Allen and Jaime Barria.
Pool A competition will begin on March 6, with Cuba vs Panama starting at 11:00 a.m. ET, and Puerto Rico vs Colombia starting at 6:00 p.m. ET.
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