Japan enter this match with tons of momentum after convincingly defeating China. Meanwhile South Korea is still reeling from a shock loss in their opening match.
Will Japan prove too strong for South Korea?
Inform your 2023 World Baseball Classic predictions with insights from Pinnacle.
World Baseball Classic 2023: Japan vs. South Korea predictions
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Japan |
South Korea |
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77.45% |
22.55% |
When: March 10, 2023
Where: Tokyo, Japan
World Baseball Classic 2023: Japan vs. South Korea
Japan began their campaign with a triumphant victory over China.
Australia upset South Korea
The Chinese team were defeated 8 – 1, and Shohei Ohtani dominated with four shutout innings and a two-run double at the plate.
However, the lopsided score was also due to China’s inability to find the strike zone, allowing 16 walkers from six pitchers.
Meanwhile, South Korea suffered an upset loss to Australia, who sealed the deal with a 3-run homer in the eighth innings.
South Korea entered the fray as favourites, but the match was surprisingly back-and-forth. By the final three innings, the hurlers simply could not slow down the Australian onslaught.
Japan and Australia currently sit atop the Pool B table.
Japan vs. South Korea: Who will win?
Japan odds to win: 1.255*
South Korea odds to win: 4.310*
Both Japan and South Korea entered the tournament as genuine title contenders. Japan especially were strong favourites at odds of 3.480 before the tournament began, while South Korea closed at 25.000.
Most experts would have predicted South Korea to beat Australia, and the upset will certainly have seeded feelings of doubt among the Korean ranks. They’ll need to pull out all the stops to beat Japan.
The last time these two met, Japan won 5-2 during the Olympic Games in 2021. Overall, however, South Korea have had the edge, with nine victories over Japan’s eight.
Japan capitalised on a poor pitching effort from China, and the consistency of South Korea’s hurlers began to wane in the latter half of their match against Australia – a weakness Japan can clearly take advantage of.
However, Japan didn’t face the stiffest offensive competition from China, and this time they will need to contend with the immense slugging power of Choi Jeong and Byung-ho Park.
Japan performed well against China and a tight fight is unlikely. A Japanese victory with a -2.0 handicap looks promising with Pinnacle’s great odds of 1.649*.
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