2026 World Baseball Classic Preview for Saturday, March 7

It’s time for Day 4 of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Saturday, March 7th. We’ve got the following games on tap for today:

Korea vs. Japan (5 a.m. ET)
Colombia vs. Canada (11 a.m. ET)
Nicaragua vs. Netherlands (12 p.m. ET)
Brazil vs. Italy (1 p.m. ET)
Panama vs. Puerto Rico (6 p.m. ET)
Israel vs. Venezuela (7 p.m. ET)
Great Britain vs. USA (8 p.m. ET)
Korea vs. Chinese Taipei (10 p.m. ET)

On this page, we’ll take dive into the full World Baseball Classic slate on Mar. 7. 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

Friday’s WBC Schedule

Korea vs. Japan – 5 a.m. ET (FS1)
Colombia vs. Canada , – 11 a.m. ET (FS1)
Nicaragua vs. Netherlands , – 12 p.m. ET (FS1)
Brazil vs. Italy , – 1 p.m. ET (FS1)
Panama vs. Puerto Rico – 6 p.m. ET (FS1)
Israel vs. Venezuela – 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
Great Britain vs. USA , – 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Korea vs. Chinese Taipei – 10 p.m. ET (FS1)

Korea vs. Japan Preview

The two top teams clash in Pool C in what’s sure to be an exciting game.

Korea opened its tournament with an 11-4 win over Czechia, led by third baseman Bo Gyeong Moon, who homered with five RBI. Veteran righty Young Pyo Ko gets the start in this one, coming off a season for the KT Wiz of the KBO where he put up 3.30 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 161 innings.

The defending champions blew out Chinese Taipei 13-0, with Shohei Ohtani hitting a grand slam in their opener. Japan will send out veteran lefty Yusei Kikuchi in this one. The Angels starter is an innings eater with a lot of experience along with the ability to rack up strikeouts at a high rate.

While this is a rivalry game, Korea appears overmatched in this one.

Korea vs. Japan Game Odds

Colombia vs. Canada Preview

Colombia looks to bounce back as they take on Canada in Pool A action.

The Colombians had a disappointing 5-0 loss against Puerto Rico in their first game. They couldn’t get anything going against veteran righty Seth Lugo. They’re in a desperate spot here, as if they go 0-2, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to advance from this group. Colombia is going with Julio Teheran in this one, a veteran who has several years of big league experience.

Canada has an underrated team filled with big leaguers, including Josh Naylor, Denzel Clarke, and Jameson Taillon. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them advance from this group, starting with a win over Colombia. Michael Soroka is starting for Canada here. He’s an underrated pitcher who could provide three solid innings.

Colombia vs. Canada Game Odds

Nicaragua vs. Netherlands Preview

Nicaragua takes on Netherlands in a matchup of two teams that lost their opener in Pool D action.

It was surprising to see Nicaragua keep it close against the Dominican Republic, as that game was only 4-3 after six innings, but things ultimately fell apart in a 12-3 loss. Nicaragua is starting former big-leaguer Erasmo Ramirez in this game.

Netherlands lost 6-2 to Venezuela, but they have the bats to get back on track, highlighted by Ozzie Albies and Ceddanne Rafaela. I like Netherlands to bounce back in this one. Jaitoine Kelly takes the mound for Netherlands. This is an 18-year-old righty who is a prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nicaragua vs. Netherlands Game Odds

Brazil vs. Italy Preview

Brazil kept it close with USA in their debut until the ninth inning, where they gave up seven runs in a 15-5 loss.

Don’t sleep on this Italy team, though, as they have a few big leaguers, highlighted by Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Teammate Jac Caglianone has elite raw power that could also cause problems for Brazil.

Look for Italy to get it done in this one. Do note that starters have not been announced at the time of this article.

Brazil vs. Italy Game Odds

Panama vs. Puerto Rico Preview

Panama is in a must-win spot against Puerto Rico in this Pool A matchup.

We saw Panama keep it close in a 3-1 loss to Cuba in their debut, but they just couldn’t get anything going on offense. They’ll be in a tough spot against Puerto Rico, which has home-field advantage. Panama is going with Ariel Jurado, who put up a 2.60 ERA in the KBO this season.

Puerto Rico was led by a strong outing from Seth Lugo in their first game. Look for them to get it done in this one as well. That home crowd is a major problem for their opponents. Eduardo Rivera takes the hill for Puerto Rico. This is a hard-throwing lefty who can cause issues for Panama.

Panama vs. Puerto Rico Game Odds

TBD

Israel vs. Venezuela Preview

Israel makes their 2026 WBC debut against a Venezuela squad that has the talent to win it all.

Don’t sleep on Israel because they have some big-leaguers with experience, including Harrison Bader and Dean Kremer. Israel is starting Ben Simon, who put up a 3.86 ERA for the New York Mets Single-A affiliate last year.

However, Israel is in tough against Venezuela. This is a stacked lineup with Ronald Acuña Jr, Wilyer Abreu, Willson Contreras, William Contreras, and more. Venezuela should improve to 2-0 in this one. Venezuela is going with Enmanuel De Jesus, who put up a 3.96 in the KBO this season.

Israel vs. Venezuela Game Odds

TBD

Great Britain vs. USA Preview

Great Britain was able to keep it close against Mexico until the eighth inning, when a 1-1 score turned into 7-1 by the bottom of the ninth.

Expect another lopsided score line when they take on the odds-on favorite in USA, who obliterated Brazil 15-5 in their opener, thanks to a seven-run ninth inning.

Simply put, Great Britain is overmatched in this one. Note: starters have not been announced for this game.

Great Britain vs. USA Game Odds

Korea vs. Chinese Taipei Preview

Chinese Taipei was able to get back on track after consecutive losses to open up the tournament, blowing out Czechia, which was huge because it also helped their run differential.

Korea will be favored here, especially if they put forth a strong effort against Japan.

I can see this one being closer than expected, though. Don’t sleep on Chinese Taipei here, as they found their groove against Czechia. Starters have not been announced for this game yet.

Korea vs. Chinese Taipei Game Odds

TBD

Colombia vs. Canada Betting Pick

I’m choosing one game on this slate to lock in on. I’ve landed on Colombia vs. Canada.

The biggest key for me here is that Colombia won’t have its best starter, Jose Quintana, who pitched in their 5-0 loss against Puerto Rico. That’s good news for Canada.

Julio Teheran takes the mound for Colombia. Remember back in 2017, he led Colombia to a win over Canada. But this time around, Canada has a better lineup, and I think they get it done here.

Canada is favored at around -160 on the moneyline at the time of this article. I’m drinking the juice and riding with them here.

Michael Soroka was rock-solid last season, putting up a 3.78 SIERA and 25.1% strikeout rate. With Soroka and a superior lineup, look for Canada to get this win.

Best Bet: Canada ML to win 1 unit

2026 World Baseball Classic Betting Tracker

Record: 1-2
Units: -2.4

2026 World Baseball Classic Betting Results

Moneyline (Favorite-Underdog): 9-1
Run Line (Favorite-Underdog): 9-1
Run Total (Over-Under): 5-5

Wednesday, Mar. 4

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

Thursday, Mar. 5

Czechia 4 vs. South 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

2026 World Baseball Classic Preview for Games on Saturday, March 7, 2026