Dethroning Shohei Ohtani has become the main goal of all the players who do not play alongside the stellar pitcher and hitter, either with the Los Angeles Dodgers or with the Japan national team. With the Dodgers it has been impossible to beat him during the last two seasons, in which he has finished as World Series champion, and in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the last major national team tournament, he also ended up climbing to the top.
His punch to Mike Trout to put the last out of the final against the United States and give Japan its third crown in the history of the event, is one of the most spectacular memories of modern baseball because they were facing two generational talents who were also teammates in the Angels.
Ohtani’s supremacy will be on the line next year in the sixth edition of the Classic, which as usual will take place in March in several nations. Japan will begin the tournament in Group C alongside South Korea, Taiwan, the Czech Republic and Australia, who will face off in Tokyo. They will then move on to the knockout rounds in Miami, where the final will also be held.
Dominican Republic, a tough nut to crack for Japan
In fact, in South Florida, the Dominican Republic will make its debut. The Dominicans, led by Albert Pujols, will present a star-studded roster to face Group D along with Venezuela, the Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua.
The latest star to join the group is Vladimir Guerrero Jr, one of the horses of the most recent Major League Baseball postseason. The Blue Jays leader, who missed the 2023 Classic due to injury, already put up a lot of resistance to Ohtani in the World Series that Toronto almost won, but the Dodgers’ comeback in games 6 and 7 buried Guerrero’s dreams. Now the first baseman could have a chance for revenge much sooner than he thought.
It turns out that the Dominican Republic will meet Japan in the Classic in the quarter-finals or semi-finals, depending on the position of both in the group stage. If both finish in the same position in the first round, they would only meet in the semi-finals if they beat their respective opponents in the quarter-finals. On the other hand, if one finishes top and the other second, then they would meet in the quarter-finals.
Dominican Republic scares with the Banana Power
The Dominican Republic’s roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic is a veritable All-Star team. The squad, which is identified with the now familiar ‘Platano Power’, will feature Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the starting first baseman and one of the most feared hitters on the roster, which also includes outfielders Juan Soto (Mets), Julio Rodriguez (Mariners) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres).
The Dominicans’ projected infield has Jose Ramirez (Guardians) at third base, and the Diamondbacks duo of Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte around second base. Top backups include Manny Machado (Padres) and Junior Caminero (Rays), who could fill the designated hitter spot or play at third base.
The catcher will be Yainer Diaz (Astros) and one of the main starters will be right-hander Sandy Alcantara (Marlins). There are still more replacement players to be confirmed, as well as much of their pitching staff, an area where the main doubts lie, although there is plenty of talent to put together a good staff and dethrone Ohtani.
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