2023 World Baseball Classic: Who plays today? Times, TV and streaming | March 9

Both Pools A and B, which are played in the Far East, are now in full swing. The first day of action saw Cuba get beaten narrowly by Holland and then today they were absolutely stunned by Italy. In another surprise turn of events, the Australians were more than up to the match with South Korea, going toe to toe with them and coming out on top. With the time difference, the late games in the Far East come out as early games the following day on this side of the Pacific, so while it may look as if some teams are playing two games in one day it is just a trick of the time zones.

The second full day of action is one that is interesting on two fronts. The early games of China vs Japan and Italy vs Cuba have already been played, due to that massive time difference in the the USA and the Far East, but there are still the Czech Republic vs China and Cuba vs Panama to get your teeth into.

When does the WBC action get started?

The game between the Czech Republic and China starts on Thursday, March 9th, 2023.

The game between Cuba and Panama starts at:

How to watch all of the World Baseball Classic action:

The following television channels and online services will be broadcasting all of the WBC games in the United States:

China 1-8 Japan

The Chinese team has struggled and to be honest, they have done well to even qualify for the event. But facing Japan, perhaps the best team in the tournament, and certainly one of the two or three best in the world, was a tall order for China. The game was always in Samurai Japan’s hands and they rallied to the cause, leading from the outset and slowly but surely adding to that lead. The Chinese will be in danger of being sent home early and need to get some sort of win in the next two games to keep their hopes alive for 2026.

Italy 6-3 Cuba

The first time that these two teams have ever faced each other and it was surprising to say the least. Cuba is the all-time heavyweight champion of international baseball, and while yes they are a shadow of their former selves, nobody expected Italy to give them much trouble. Problem is, somebody forgot to tell the Italians that. There were big hits from both teams, back and forth scoring, and a thrilling ten innings of baseball, but in the end, the Mike Piazza coached Italian team came out with a huge win. This is Cuba’s second loss in the group and barring some hefty rebuilding, and a good dollop of luck, their WBC may already be winding down.

Czech Republicv vs China preview

This will be the Czech Republic’s maiden voyage into the WBC and as the Cinderella story of these games, they will be looking to start off on the right foot. And if any team is to be your first opponent, then you hope for team China. Reeling from a lack of playing time, the Chinese players are mostly in the Chinese Professional Baseball League which has been suspended since 2019 due to covid. And while the Czechs need to win to get off on the right foot, the Chinese need a win to stay in the automatic qualification spots for 2026.

Cuba vs Panama preview

Panama are still in the fight, at 1-1, but the Cubans have now dropped two games in the group, setting them in the danger zone of not only failing to advance out of their group, but also being dropped from the automatic qualification zone. Another loss will almost certainly see them need to re-qualify for 2026, but in the swings and roundabouts that is baseball, a winning run right now, coupled with a few losses to other teams could see them squeak through. Possible, although not likely.