2026 World Baseball Classic Preview for Final on Tuesday, March 17, 2026

It’s time for the finals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, March 17th.

We’ve got USA as the favorites against Venezuela, who look to complete an incredible run that also included an upset win over Japan.

On this page, we’ll dive into the full World Baseball Classic slate on Mar. 17. You’ll find a game preview for each of these matchups, along with best bets at the end of the page. Visit us daily as we’ll get you set each day of the World Baseball Classic with recaps, look aheads, and much more!

2026 World Baseball Classic Betting Resources

• World Baseball Classic Odds
• World Baseball Classic Pool Play Picks
• World Baseball Classic Team USA Parlays
• World Baseball Classic Futures Picks
• World Baseball Classic Betting Sites
• World Baseball Classic Promotions

Tuesday WBC Schedule

• USA vs. Venezuela (8 p.m. ET) (FS1)

USA vs. Venezuela Preview

USA has been able to get to the finals thanks to some dominant pitching, especially from closer Mason Miller, who is likely available for tonight’s game. However, New York Yankees closer David Bednar is unavailable, which is worth noting.

New York Mets starter Nolan McLean takes the mound for this game. The rookie struggled in his first WBC start vs. Italy, allowing three earned runs in three innings.

Venezuela has gotten to the finals due to an impressive offense that includes stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Eugenio Suarez. On top of that, their bullpen has been absolutely dominant, allowing zero runs in 14 innings in their victories over Japan and Italy.

Veteran lefty Eduardo Rodriguez is starting for Venezuela tonight. He had a tough time against Dominican Republic earlier in the tournament, giving up three earned runs in 2.2 innings.

It should be a close game that caps off what’s been a phenomenal tournament.

USA vs. Venezuela Game Odds

USA vs. Venezuela Betting Pick

USA is a heavy favorite in this game at -285 odds, but that feels like an inflated line. Yes, USA is the better team on paper, but they haven’t been dominant enough to warrant this type of price. Venezuela has proven that they’re good enough to hang with the juggernauts. Just look at how they took out Japan.

With how good Venezuela’s bullpen has been during the knockout stages, I’ll take a shot that they can keep this one close. I love the value on Venezuela moneyline at +220 odds.

While USA should definitely be favored, we’re talking about a team that was almost eliminated in the group stage. If Dominican Republic didn’t strand so many baserunners, they would have been out in the semifinals.

Of course, they’re more likely to win, but I don’t think USA deserves to be such heavy favorites. I’ll take a shot on Venezuela at such long odds.

Best Bet: VEN ML to win 1 unit

2026 World Baseball Classic Betting Tracker

• Record: 7-7
• Units: -1.92

2026 World Baseball Classic Betting Results

• Moneyline (Favorite-Underdog): 34-11
• Run Line (Favorite-Underdog): 25-20
• Run Total (Over-Under): 19-26

Wednesday, Mar. 4

• Chinese Taipei 0 vs. Australia 3 (+2.5) – Under

Thursday, Mar. 5

• Czechia 4 vs. Korea 11 (-6.5) – Over
• Czechia 1 vs. Australia 5 (-4.5) – Under

Friday, Mar. 6

• Chinese Taipei 0 vs. Japan 13 (-4.5) – Over
• Panama 1 vs. Cuba 3 (-1.5) – Under
• Netherlands 2 vs. Venezuela 6 (-3.5) – Under
• Great Britain 2 vs. Mexico 8 (-4.5) – Over
• Colombia 0 vs. Puerto Rico 5 (-2.5) – Under
• Nicaragua 3 vs. Dominican Republic 12 (-4.5) – Over
• Brazil 5 vs. USA 15 (-9.5) – Over

Saturday, Mar. 7

• Korea 6 vs. Japan 8 (-4.5) – Over
• Colombia 2 vs. Canada 8 (-1.5) Over
• Nicaragua 3 vs. Netherlands 4 (-2.5) – Under
• Brazil 0 vs. Italy 8 (-4.5) – Under
• Panama 3 vs. Puerto Rico 4 (-3.5) – Under
• Israel 3 vs. Venezuela 11 (-5.5) – Over
• Great Britain 1 vs. USA 9 (-9.5) – Under
• Korea 4 vs. Chinese Taipei 5 (+2.5) – Over

Sunday, Mar. 8

• Australia 3 vs. Japan 4 (-4.5) – Under
• Netherlands 1 vs. Dominican Republic 12 (-4.5) Over
• Colombia 4 vs. Cuba 7 (-1.5) – Over
• Great Britain 4 vs. Italy 7 (-4.5) – Over
• Nicaragua 0 vs. Israel 5 (+1.5) – Under
• Brazil 0 vs. Mexico 16 (-7.5) – Over
• Canada 3 vs. Panama 4 (+4.5) – Under

Monday, Mar. 9

• Australia 2 vs. Korea 7 (-2.5) – Under
• Panama 3 vs. Colombia 4 (+1.5) – Under
• Israel 1 vs. Dominican Republic 10 (-7.5) – Under
• Brazil 1 vs. Great Britain 8 (-2.5) – Under
• Nicaragua 0 vs. Venezuela 4 (-6.5) – Under
• Mexico 3 vs. USA 5 (-3.5) – Under
• Cuba 1 vs. Puerto Rico 4 (-2.5) – Under

Tuesday, Mar. 10

• Czechia 0 vs. Japan 9 (-2.5) – Under
• Netherlands 2 vs. Israel 6 (+1.5) – Under
• Puerto Rico 2 vs. Canada 3 (+1.5) – Under
• USA 6 vs. Italy 8 (+5.5) – Over

Wednesday, Mar. 11

• Cuba 2 vs. Canada 7 (-1.5) – Over
• Venezuela 5 vs. Dominican Republic 7 (-2.5) – Over
• Mexico 1 vs. Italy 9 (+1.5) – Over

Friday, Mar. 13

• Canada 3 vs. USA 5 (-4.5) – Under
• Korea 0 vs. Dominican Republic 10 (-4.5) – Under

Saturday, Mar. 14

• Puerto Rico 6 vs. Italy 8 (-1.5) – Over
• Japan 5 vs. Venezuela 8 (+2.5) – Over

Sunday, Mar. 15

• Dominican Republic 1 vs. USA 2 (-1.5) – Under

Monday, Mar. 16

• Italy 2 vs. Venezuela 4 (-1.5) – Under

Photo Credit: AP/Rebecca Blackwell