Japan are champions of the world for the third time

Japan have won the World Baseball Classic for the third time after winning 3-2 to the United States in a very intense game.

With more than 36K spectators and the World Baseball Classic on play Miami received Japan’s team and USA’s team. Both teams were favorites to win the championship from the beginning. Japan came into this game undefeated and were looking to keep their streak. USA had previously won 14-2 to Cuba, to win their ticket to the final.

USA wanted to be the second team to win back-to-back WBC with the only one being Japan as well as the only one to ever win it twice. The Japanese won their first title in 2006 and their second one in 2009.

Game highlights

Both teams came into the field with eyes on the target, the trophy and the glory. With great defensive and offensive plays by both of them the first inning went by like a breath.

Things change in the second inning. Turner opened the score board for the USA with a solo home run down the left field. The celebrations were cut short as in that same inning Japan responded. Murakami, the two time MVP, made a solo home run through the right side of the field to tie the game. With full base Japan’s offense managed to push one more run to leave the inning with the parcial victory.

In the fourth inning, Okamoto made the third solo home run of the night, this time into the center field. This putted all the pressure over to the USA’s team as they were loosing 3-1 already.

Japan managed to fill the bases once more in the sixth inning , but were unable to score any runs. The defensive player from the American made sure no other run came in.

United State had a great opportunity to bounce back in the seventh inning with two men on base and only one out. Japan did’t succumb under the pressure and managed to end things with a double play.

With the game in the eight innings, USA made the fourth solo home run thanks to Schwarber.

All came down to the last inning. Both captain facing each other. Japan on defense. United States on offense. Two outs. Three balls. Two strikes. The play that was going to decide it all. Ohtani stroked out Trout to give Japan their third title!

It has already been announced, the next WBC will be in 2026.

What do you think of this edition of the World Baseball Classic?