By Leif Skodnick
World Baseball Network
How will the five teams in Pool A of the 2023 World Baseball Classic fare in Taichung City, Taiwan? Let’s take a look:
Chinese Taipei
Notable Players: Infielder Yu Chang of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox is the most notable player to fans in the United States, along with infielder Cheng Tsung-che of the Pittsburgh Pirates and pitcher Kai-Wei Teng of the San Francisco Giants
Best Result at World Baseball Classic: Chinese Taipei has appeared in four World Baseball Classics, but the highest they’ve finished was eighth in 2013. Chinese Taipei is 3-10 all-time in the WBC.
Pool Play Schedule
March 8 – Panama vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
March 9 – Off
March 10 – Italy vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. ET – Tubi
March 11 – Netherlands vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
March 11 – Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
Prediction: Chinese Taipei might beat Panama, could beat Italy, but won’t beat the Netherlands or Cuba. Two wins in pool play would be a great showing for Chinese Taipei.
Cuba
Notable Players: Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada are among the first Major League Baseball players to play for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. Former major leaguer Yoenis Cespedes will try to add to his WBC record for triples (3), and aging Cuban legend Alfredo Despaigne will look to strengthen his grip on the WBC career home run record, which he holds with seven.
Best Result at World Baseball Classic: Cuba was the runner-up in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, but hasn’t returned to the final four of the event since.
Pool Play Schedule
March 7 – Cuba vs. Netherlands – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 1
March 9 – Italy vs. Cuba – 6 a.m. ET – Tubi
March 9 – Cuba vs. Panama – 11:30 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 1
March 10 – Off
March 11 – Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
Prediction: Cuba should beat Panama and Chinese Taipei handily, and will likely be tested by Italy, but should pull out a close win in that game, too. If Cuba can beat the Netherlands, they should win Pool A, which would give them an easier path to the semifinals in Miami should Japan win Pool B.
The Netherlands
Notable Players: San Diego Padres infielder Xander Bogaerts, former New York Yankee Didi Gregorius, and NPB single-season home run leader Wladimir Baletien will power the Dutch offense.
Best Result at World Baseball Classic: The Netherlands finished fourth in 2013 and 2017.
Pool Play Schedule
March 7 – Cuba vs. Netherlands – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
March 8 – Panama vs. Netherlands – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
March 9 – Off
March 10 – Off
March 11 – Netherlands vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
March 12 – Netherlands vs. Italy – 7 a.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
Prediction: The big question is whether or not the Netherlands can get past Cuba in the first game of pool play. If so, they should advance to the quarterfinals in Tokyo. If they beat Cuba and don’t advance out of pool play, it’d be a complete shock.
Italy
Notable Players: Infielders Vinnie Pasquantino and Nicky Lopez of the Kansas City Royals will hold down the right side of the infield. Former New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey is literally pitching to extend his career in this event.
Best Result at World Baseball Classic: Italy is 5-10 all-time at the World Baseball Classic, with their best finish being seventh place in 2013.
Pool Play Schedule
March 9 – Italy vs. Cuba – 6 a.m. ET – Tubi
March 10 – Italy vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. ET – Tubi
March 10 – Panama vs. Italy – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 1
March 11 – Off
March 12 – Netherlands vs. Italy – 7 a.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
Prediction: Italy will beat Chinese Taipei and should be Panama. With a young, developing team, it’s hard to see them beating Cuba or the Netherlands, which are far deeper squads. If they do go 3-1, they should advance to a quarterfinal in Tokyo.
Panama
Notable Players: Colorado Rockies fireballer Justin Lawrence will be a key component of the pitching staff, along with starter Jaime Barria of the Los Angeles Angels. Former New York Mets infielder Ruben Tejada will also play for Panama.
Best Result at World Baseball Classic: Panama has played in two World Baseball Classics, with a high finish of 14th in 2006.
Pool Play Schedule
March 8 – Panama vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
March 8 – Panama vs. Netherlands – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 2
March 9 – Cuba vs. Panama – 11:30 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 1
March 10 – Panama vs. Italy – 11 p.m. ET – Fox Sports 1
Prediction: Panama should beat Chinese Taipei and will give Italy a tough game. They’ll lose to the Netherlands and Cuba. If they manage to go 3-1, they’ll be overjoyed.
Coming tomorrow: A preview of Pool B at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.