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MLB

2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B: Who advances to quarterfinals? Teams, schedule, venue, top players

After the four games played by each team in the group stage, we now have the two teams that will be moving on to the quarterfinals

Fidel Rubio
After the four games played by each team in the group stage, we now have the two teams that will be moving on to the quarterfinals
RICHARD A. BROOKSAFP

The most important baseball international competition is back and the World Baseball Classic is taking place for the first time since 2017.

The WBC, which was postponed due to the Covid19 pandemic, is being played from March 8-21 at four different locations spread all over the world.

Which teams are advancing from Pool B?

There are four groups with five teams each and the two best squads will progress to the quarterfinal round.

Japan dominated the opening round of Pool B with four victories. They were led by Shohei Ohtani and strong pitching and hitting overall. The Samurai club look like the team to beat and all eyes will be on them in their quarterfinal game against Italy. Australia surpised many with their 3 - 1 record, thus eliminating Korea, Czech Republic and China from the tournament.

What were the scores in the group round of Pool B?

  • March 8: Australia 8 - 7 South Korea
  • March 9: China 1 - 8 Japan
  • March 9: Czech Republic 8 - 5 China
  • March 10: Korea 4 - 13 Japan
  • March 10: China 2 - 12 Australia
  • March 11: Czech Republic 2 - 10 Japan
  • March 11: Czech Republic 3 -7 Korea
  • March 12: Japan 7 - 1 Australia
  • March 12: Australia 8 - 3 Czech Republic
  • March 13: Korea 22 - 2 China

Which are the Pool B team’s top players?

Australia: Aaron Whitefield

The Angels outfielder has always shown off great defensive chops and speed. Aaron Whitefield has topped 30 stolen bases four times in the Minors and fell just one steal shy of the mark in 2022.

China: Luo Jinjun

Luo Jinjun is one of the best defenders on the China squad and can play at second, third, and shortstop. He led the national team to a third-place finish in the 2019 Asian Championships and was one of the Chinese players who joined the Texas Airhogs of the American Association in 2018 and 2019.

Czech Republic: Martin Schneider

The attention will mainly be on Martin Schneider, probably the best pitcher and shortstop in Czech baseball history.

Japan: Shohei Ohtani

No surprises here. Shohei Ohtani will undoubtedly be Japan’s biggest star going into the World Baseball Classic 2023.

He has hit 80 home runs while posting a 2.70 ERA in nearly 300 innings over the last two seasons. Ohtani, 28, is expected to be decisive in the very Japan’s first game against China.

Korea: Jung-hoo Lee

Big things in the tournament are expected from Kiwoom Heroes’ star Jung-hoo Lee, who blasted 23 home runs to complement a .349 average and .996 OPS last season.

Lee, nicknamed Grandson of the Wind, has five KBO Golden Gloves and won the South Korean League MVP Award in 2022.

Which teams will advance?

Pool B’s main candidates to advance to the quarterfinals seem clear here. While Australia, the Czech Republic, and China are probably the three weakest teams in the tournament. Japan, led by Ohtani and playing at home, and South Korea, are the squads expected to go through.

Prediction: Japan and South Korea