WBC

The WBC semifinal between Mexico and Japan had it all. Japan just had a bit more, rallying to a 6-5 win to clinch a finals matchup vs. Team USA.

- World Baseball Classic 2023 odds: How to bet Japan vs. But it was only a taste of the madness that will likely occur, one way or another, in the WBC final against the Americans. Now, it will have to find a way to tamper the adrenaline rush for a quick turnaround ahead of Tuesday’s first pitch. The reason for Japan’s early headache was none other than [Randy Arozarena](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/randy-arozarena-player), whose fifth-inning home-run robbery halted any momentum that had been building in Japan’s dugout. [Yu Darvish](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/yu-darvish-player) will serve in that capacity — but it’s possible the two-way star could appear in relief. is going to be in the finals." So when Arozarena came up clutch in the very next inning, ripping a double and scoring the go-ahead run, it didn’t shake Japan’s fortitude. ET, FS1](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/final-finalist-2-vs-finalist-1-mar-21-2023-game-boxscore-37)). "I think it's good that Japan versus the U.S. [Team USA](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/usa-team) on Tuesday night in Miami ( [7 p.m. After the hysteria, Team Japan stood on the third-base line, took its caps off, and bowed to the crowd in its usual display of honor and tradition. Japan just had a bit more for 35,933 rowdy fans in the building and countless more across the globe.

The World Baseball Classic has produced some tremendous TV the past couple of weeks and that continued Monday night when Japan beat Mexico by scoring two ...

Jeff McNeil of the Mets and other prominent players from the United States are sacrificing playing time in hopes of securing a title.

— and has had even fewer since — he said he valued working on his hitting with Griffey, who is serving as the team’s hitting coach. I don’t need that much time.” When he returned to the Mets, he said, he might go to the back fields at their spring training facility in Port St. There’s no reason why the stars of our game should not be playing in this. “You see that and get used to playing in that and I think it helps down the line.” McNeil had to alter his usual preparation for the season, but he insisted he was happy. “I’ll be fine,” he said, and then pointed to the 2022 preseason shortened by a labor stoppage. matters a lot more than it does in the United States, and T.V. club to participate in the W.B.C., especially for a country with a lot of stars: You get to represent your country, but you might lose playing time. Then Jose Altuve, a star second baseman for the Houston Astros, sustained a broken thumb when he was hit by a pitch during Venezuela’s game against the United States on Saturday. As a member of the United States’ stacked World Baseball Classic roster — which includes other stars capable of handling his positions, such as Mookie Betts and Tim Anderson — McNeil has logged only 11 plate appearances during the two-week tournament. Yet, ahead of a season in which the Mets have outrageously high expectations, McNeil has barely been playing. Over the winter, the Mets rewarded the 30-year-old McNeil with a four-year, $50 million contract extension.

Shohei Ohtani rarely shows emotion on the baseball field. But when he roped a double to the right center field gap in the bottom of the ninth on Monday ...

Arozarena stole a home run from Japan’s Kazuma Okamoto in the fifth inning and then just stood there stoically. Jojo Romero replaced Urquidy and proceeded to walk Ohtani and give up the tying homer to Yoshida. Jose Urquidy kept it going until the seventh when he gave up a two-out single to Kensuke Kondoh. Sasaki struck out three, but gave up five hits including Urias’ homer over four innings. Japan went with the speedy Ukyo Shuto as a pinch runner. Japan cut the deficit to 5-4 in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Hotaka Yamakawa.

Miami – Japan came from behind twice to defeat Mexico 6-5 on Monday and set up a World Baseball Classic final showdown with the United States.

If this does not resolve the issue or you are unable to add the domains to your allowlist, please see Munetaka Murakami drove in a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning as Japan came back from a 5-4 deficit to reach Tuesday's final in Miami against the USA. Miami – Japan came from behind twice to defeat Mexico 6-5 on Monday and set up a World Baseball Classic final showdown with the United States.

MIAMI (AP) — When Shohei Ohtani reached second base after hitting a leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth inning, he immediately looked up at the crowd ...

“I believe in myself, and I remember I stepped into the box with a belief in myself.” He did Monday and smashed a ball with so much force that it soared above the second deck at loanDepot park and bounced off the video board, making a loud thud when it landed. But Japan pulled within a run on a [sacrifice fly by Hotaka Yamakawa that scored Takumu Nakano](https://www.mlb.com/video/yamakawa-pega-fly-de-sacrificio-x5444?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share), who was pinch-running for Kazuma Okamoto. Yoshida is about to start his first season in the major leagues with Boston. Many are already mentioning the 21-year-old right-hander in the class of his Samurai Japan teammate, Ohtani. In front of a crowd of 35,933 that chanted “¡Si Se Puede!” — translating to “Yes We Can!” — throughout the night, left fielder Randy Arozarena had a signature performance for Mexico. Japan, which trails only Cuba (64) and the U.S. He also posed with Ohtani. Again, we took the lead. After Ohtani got the rally started, Yoshida walked to bring up Murakami. Ohtani’s double off losing pitcher Giovanny Gallegos was his fourth of the tournament. Merrill Kelly is likely to start for Team USA, which has won the WBC once.

Munetaka Murakami hit a walk-off two-run double in the ninth inning as Japan beat Mexico 6-5 Monday in their World Baseball Classic semifinal to book a spot ...

Naturally, it's going to be tense, but I want everyone to give their all with a strong desire to win whatever it takes." On Tuesday, lefty Shota Imanaga will start against the United States. Mexico took a fourth-inning lead on Luis Urias' three-run home run off Roki Sasaki, but Japan tied it on Masataka Yoshida's three-run home run in the seventh. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani sparked the rally with a leadoff double, taking off his helmet as he stormed to second base. "We knew it wasn't going to be an easy win," Ohtani said. Mexico took a fourth-inning lead on Luis Urias' three-run home run off Roki Sasaki, but Japan tied it on Yoshida's three-run home run in the seventh.

Throughout Monday's 2023 World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Mexico and Japan, it looked like Mexico was well on its way to an appearance in the…

The last team to go back-to-back was Japan in 2006 and 2009. Ohtani will see his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout across the diamond when Japan faces Team USA. The last-second win and the impending matchup between Team USA and Japan excited fans on Twitter:

Team USA goes for a second consecutive World Baseball Classic championship tonight, taking on two-time winner Japan and starting pitcher Yu Darvish.

[foxsports.com](https://www.foxsports.com/live) and the FOX Sports app. Masataka also has driven in 13 runs in the tournament, the most in WBC histor. The last of the tournament's 47 games will be aired Tuesday on FS1 at 7 p.m. Darvish also pitched seven seasons for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League before coming to MLB. Trea Turner hit a pair of home runs and Goldschmidt added another in the rout. The title game will stream live on In addition, Team Japan also has St. two-time winner Japan for the title. [a thrilling comeback win in the semifinals over Mexico](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/20/japan-gets-walk-off-win-vs-mexico-world-baseball-classic-semifinal/11512391002/) on Monday night, hitting a leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth and scoring the tying run on Munetaka Murakami's walk-off two run double. [Team USA feeling invincible heading into final](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/20/team-usa-bats-come-alive-reach-world-baseball-classic-final/11507354002/) [Japan rallies for walk-off instant-classic win over Mexico](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/20/japan-gets-walk-off-win-vs-mexico-world-baseball-classic-semifinal/11512391002/) [a convincing 14-2 victory over Cuba](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/19/us-defeats-cuba-reach-world-baseball-classic-championship-game/11506537002/) in Saturday's first semifinal.

A dramatic semifinal set up a World Baseball Classic final for the ages: Shohei Ohtani and Japan against Mike Trout and the United States.

He is just establishing himself in the majors, with power, a good eye at the plate and solid defense. Yet Murakami said the team’s manager, Hideki Kuriyama, had “told us just to do what you can” — and what Murakami does is hit homers. “So I kind of had an idea right then that it was going to be a wild ride. It was just the kind of performance one would expect from the best player in the world, facing elimination against a top pitcher — Giovanny Gallegos, the closer for the St. Ohtani led off the bottom of the ninth by drilling the first pitch for a double, and scored on Murakami’s winning hit. Murakami came up next, after three strikeouts and a foul out, a humbling display for a slugger who set the Japanese single-season record for homers by a native-born player last season, with 56 for the Yakult Swallows. Nootbaar, from El Segundo, Calif., is the first player not born in Japan to make Japan’s national team. You’ll be hearing a lot more about him in a few years — but for now, of course, the biggest Japanese star is Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. There was Ohtani charging from the box, helmet flying, pulling into second base and raising his arms to the dugout, exhorting his teammates with a roar. The wild penultimate game was the event in microcosm: a raucous sold-out ballpark, with action and characters embodying everything Major League Baseball could have hoped for when this tournament began. Japan never led in Monday’s semifinal against Mexico until the moment the game ended, on a two-run double by Munetaka Murakami that capped a 6-5 thriller. It is a grand mosaic, each little piece its own story, all of them essential to the whole.

A tournament this good can end only one way: With Ohtani coming out of the bullpen to face Trout in the ninth.

But the [Red Sox](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/redsox/)’s [Masataka Yoshida](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/masataka-yoshida-a5LqurG3A1U5h6BL/), 9-for-19 with 13 RBIs in the tournament, ended the drought in a left-left matchup against the Cardinals’ [JoJo Romero](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/jojo-romero-mtCPTHPOzEeOl5np/) with two outs in the seventh, tying the score with a towering three-run shot inside the right-field foul pole. [Brewers’](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/brewers/) [Luis Urías](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/luis-urias-ggLIDidJHR1L4LXl/) off the precocious Roki Sasaki with two outs in the fourth. But Ohtani, 9-for-20 with five extra-base hits in the tournament, clearly is caught up in Team Japan’s 6-0 run, oozing with confidence and charisma as his country attempts to win its third WBC title. Japan pulled within one run in the bottom half. [Angels](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/angels/) will not attempt to influence Ohtani. “Obviously we couldn’t lose and I wanted to get the guys rallied up in the dugout.” I was glad I was able to pull the ball, rather than hit it toward him.” The Angels, who have had five straight losing seasons with Ohtani and seven straight overall, can interpret that however they’d like. And now, after displaying more emotion than he ever has, at least on this continent, he’s not going to pitch in the [World Baseball Classic](https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/world-baseball-classic-live-scores-usa-cuba-mexico-japan/DGVKTn1hg9Pn/) final against Team USA? Ohtani, serving as the designated hitter, said he took an at-bat, went into a bullpen “in the back” to warm up, took another at-bat and came into the game. He last recalled doing that in 2016, in the game that launched his Japanese team, the Nippon-Ham Fighters, into the Japan Series. The game was another WBC classic, the fourth unforgettable contest at loanDepot Park in a span of seven days.

Team USA, which prevailed in the most recent World Baseball Classic in 2017, is one win away from repeating as champions.

Japan also has Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has a 1.95 career ERA over 733 in the Nippon League. He does have plenty of playoff experience in the majors, playing in 11 games (all starts). USA on Tuesday will face a tradition-rich baseball program. "I will be prepared to pitch," Ohtani said after Monday's game. The Americans could be without star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who was hit by a pitch on Sunday. The Americans, who will play Japan for the title on Tuesday night at LoanDepot Park, are clearly excited to go for the gold. You can barely hear yourself talk in the dugout. You can barely hear yourself think on the mound. Darvish, 36, is 95-75 with a 3.50 ERA. "That stuff (records) is for my family. "We're in spring-training mode, but we're also playing for our country," USA pitcher Adam Wainwright said. "I just want to win," said Turner, who is the first WBC player ever to have four-plus RBI in consecutive games.

While Japan looks to become the WBC's first three-time winner, Team USA might need a clutch performance from its unheralded pitching staff to repeat as ...

[Adam Wainwright](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/adam-wainwright-player) and [Miles Mikolas](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/miles-mikolas-player), who combined to allow two runs over eight innings in USA’s 14-2 semifinal win Sunday against [Cuba](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/cuba-team), DeRosa won’t have to do that again before Tuesday’s finale. - World Baseball Classic 2023 odds: How to bet Japan vs. Japan hadn’t been tested until Mexico pushed it to the brink, and then it demonstrated its mettle. [Trea Turner](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/trea-turner-player), the No. Gradually, though, the tournament is becoming more of a worldwide phenomenon. Still, even the most formidable pitching staff would have its hands full against Japan, which has plated six runs or more in every game of the tournament. A litany of high-leverage weapons should be well-rested and available behind Kelly, including MLB All-Stars [Devin Williams](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/devin-williams-player), [Ryan Pressly](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/ryan-pressly-player) and [David Bednar](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/david-bednar-player). [World Baseball Classic](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic) is set for a dazzling finale Tuesday night in Miami ( [7 p.m. The WBC presents distinctive challenges to managers who must balance both tournament limits and major-league front-office requests in handling pitcher workloads. After using seven pitchers in that quarterfinal win, DeRosa told reporters he stayed up until the early morning hours before Sunday’s semifinal trying to plan out the pitching possibilities. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster in run prevention for Team USA, which allowed 11 runs to The Americans' 49 runs in the tournament are the sixth-most ever scored in a single WBC, and the lineup is finding its groove at the right time, [scoring 23 runs in the quarterfinals and semifinals](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/trea-turner-usa-do-it-again-knock-out-cuba-to-advance-to-wbc-final).

In the bottom of the ninth inning, with Mexico back in front 5-4, Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder Munetaka Murakami stepped to the plate. With runners on first ...

In the bottom of the ninth inning, with Mexico back in front 5-4, Tokyo Yakult Swallows infielder Munetaka Murakami stepped to the plate. Best of all, some hero even translated it for us (though ultimately it's exactly the sort of mid-walk-off gibberish you would expect). On Monday, Japan and Mexico played nine innings for the ages in the suddenly Hot, Hot, Hot World Baseball Classic.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga joined his Japan teammates in celebrating a thrilling World Baseball Classic semifinal victory over Mexico on March 21, ...

Six days later, he worked a scoreless inning against Italy in the quarterfinals. My team has so many great pitchers, so I'll pitch with the help of everyone." lineup, Imanaga said, "I'll see what kind of pitch might work against each hitter.

Japan and the United States each face their toughest test of the tournament. This is a heavyweight bout. Here's the tale of the tape.

[Cedric Mullins](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/cedric-mullins-57lkF6dWD0igrGmG/), off the bench, hit a homer. And if Japan and the U.S. remain tight in the ninth inning, well, Ohtani is available in relief. [Masataka Yoshida](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/masataka-yoshida-a5LqurG3A1U5h6BL/) until Yoshida rainbowed a three-run homer Monday against Mexico. One of the best games of the tournament. [Trea Turner](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/trea-turner-7IOicEqFc3nRA8dm/) happened. Those two homers, by the way, came in the clutch. Still, with a stocked pen and those two long relief options, DeRosa will have the luxury of a quick hook. The [Phillies](https://theathletic.com/mlb/team/phillies/) shortstop smacked a go-ahead grand slam Saturday in a quarterfinal win over Venezuela, then sent two more homers sailing Sunday in a semifinal blowout of Cuba. Odds were always in favor of Kelly, the Diamondbacks’ veteran right-hander who pitched Team USA’s last game in pool play and who is the best of the remaining starters. [Mookie Betts](https://theathletic.com/mlb/player/mookie-betts-40qIanIFo3PVjfGr/) collected three hits with a double. The United States is the reigning champion, having claimed the title in 2017.

The defending champion U.S. squad takes on two-time champion Japan in Miami for the 2023 title. Check here for the latest updates.

“I was going sinker-in for a swing. The outlet said the Cuban team was scheduled to depart Miami International Airport Monday following the team's loss at loanDepot Park Sunday night, but before the flight took off, Gonzalez wasn't on the plane and stayed in Miami. “I feel terrible,’’ Bard told USA TODAY Sports in the dugout before Sunday’s game against Cuba. He hoped it would be nothing more than a sprained or badly bruised thumb, but Altuve was diagnosed Sunday morning with a broken thumb. Starter Adam Wainwright struggled in the opening inning, but St. But that's the way this lineup's built.’’ [woke up Sunday feeling awful](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/19/jose-altuve-injury-has-daniel-bard-feeling-remorse/11506005002/). Realmuto starting behind the plate, Kyle Schwarber at designated hitter and Cedric Mullins in left field. and surprise starter Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Japan. [then turned the postgame into a comedy club routine](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/20/team-usa-bats-come-alive-reach-world-baseball-classic-final/11507354002/). [go-ahead grand slam](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/19/trea-turner-wbc-grand-slam-causes-team-usa-black-out/11503300002/) in the quarterfinal against Venezuela and another in the group stage against Canada. And now there's only one game left.

The pitching matchup for the championship game was supposed to feature Merrill Kelly of Team USA against San Diego Padres star Yu Darvish of Japan. Surprise, ...

Team USA’s offense is explosive, as it has shown that time and time again in the tournament. However, the Samurai’s lineup is also excellent and America’s pitching is good enough to give its offense a fair shot. They have Ohtani and his 1.421 OPS, they have Monday night’s hero Munetaka Murakami and his 56 homers last year in the NPB, they have the consistently great Kensuke Kondo (hitting .391 in the Classic), they have Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (.474/.571/.842 with 13 RBI and a 1.413 OPS) and St. Japan, on the other hand, has a tournament-leading 2.33 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP and a 7/72 BB/K ratio. The right-hander’s 3.60 career ERA in MLB certifies him as a more than qualified option to take the hill, and he had an even better 3.10 ERA in 2022. Even [Shohei Ohtani](https://theanalyst.com/na/2023/03/who-are-the-favorites-to-win-mvp-of-the-world-baseball-classic/) could make a relief appearance if needed. Lance Lynn, who exceeded the 50-pitch limit in his outing against Venezuela, is probably unavailable as well. He earned a shot with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. USA is taking a 4.33 ERA to the final game, which is acceptable but far from elite. Japan will send left-hander Shota Imanaga (one run conceded in four WBC innings this year) to the mound for the winner-takes-all affair. On Monday, the Japanese rallied in the bottom of the ninth to stun Mexico 6-5 and punch their ticket to Tuesday’s championship. The tournament has been, without a doubt, a resounding success.

USA and Japan will face off tonight for the WBC Final. Both teams have won the championship in the past, but the U.S. hopes to go back-to-back.

[Yu Darvish](https://www.mlb.com/player/yu-darvish-506433) gets the start for Japan. However, it may be hard for him to get going in the bullpen when he is also a designated hitter. He set a WBC record with two straight games of four RBIs. Japan is currently the only multi-time champion in WBC history, but that could change with a USA victory. [Trea Turner](https://www.mlb.com/player/trea-turner-607208) is on a tear coming into the championship game. The USA takes on Japan tonight in a battle for the World Baseball Classic Final. [Merrill Kelly](https://www.mlb.com/player/merrill-kelly-518876) who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks will get the start for the USA squad. [Mike Trout](https://www.mlb.com/player/mike-trout-545361), [Mookie Betts](https://www.mlb.com/player/mookie-betts-605141), and [Paul Goldschmidt, ](https://www.mlb.com/player/paul-goldschmidt-502671)who all have contributed tremendously at the right time. [Mark Derosa](https://www.mlb.com/player/mark-derosa-136660), the team hopes to make history. [Shohei Ohtani](https://www.mlb.com/player/shohei-ohtani-660271), secured a leadoff double in the ninth inning, which set up a fortunate chain of events for Japan. [Giovanny Gallegos](https://www.mlb.com/player/giovanny-gallegos-606149) then gave up a walk and a crucial walk-off double to Japan third baseman [ Munetaka Murakami](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=muraka000mun). [Adam Wainwright](https://www.mlb.com/player/adam-wainwright-425794) was able to reel himself in.

Shohei Ohtani & Japan vs Team USA World Baseball Classic Finals preview · Can Trea Turner build off the momentum of his huge game against Cuba? · What message ...

He spent five years in the [Tigers](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/detroit-tigers-team) organization. - World Baseball Classic 2023 odds: How to bet Japan vs. Mexico, expert pickWorld Baseball Classic to air exclusively on FOX networksMLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was an All-American at Old Dominion University before he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round pick of the [Tigers](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/detroit-tigers-team) in 2013. [Flippin' Bats](https://open.spotify.com/show/2W9kjXYipF7seRmajqRFQK)" podcast. Turner has four home runs and 10 RBIs in the tournament with a .368 batting average. So, I wanted to go in there and get a swing and do that tonight." "I just wanted to get something to hit," Yoshida said. "Let's go," Nootbaar said. Turner reached a few milestones, including: Ohtani will not start, but said he might pitch in relief. [Shota Imanaga](https://www.foxsports.com/world-baseball-classic/shota-imanaga-player) will start for Japan and the USA starting pitcher is expected to be the [Arizona Diamondbacks](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks-team)' [Merrill Kelly.](https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/merrill-kelly-2-player)

Shohei Ohtani closed out a 3-2 win as Japan won its first WBC title since 2009.

We came here to surpass them, to reach the top. All of it set up a dream final between two baseball powerhouses: Team USA, with its copious All-Stars and billion-dollar lineup, against Samurai Japan, the No. Throughout the tournament, Ohtani continued to amaze, as he has done both hitting and pitching during his five-year major league career. [Jeff McNeil](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33900/jeff-mcneil): a 101.5 mph fastball, the hardest Ohtani had thrown since coming to the United States -- until he would later face Trout. His teammate and good friend, [Mike Trout](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30836/mike-trout), at the plate for Team USA. Otherwise, the American offense was feckless, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranding eight runners. Over the previous 17 days, the WBC had filled the typically staid March baseball calendar with heart-palpitating action: tournament favorite Dominican Republic getting ousted in pool play; a late-game, go-ahead grand slam that propelled the U.S. Samurai Japan, the juggernaut of this WBC, finished off the Americans to cap a 7-0 tournament. Starting with Shota Imanaga and ending with Ohtani, who also went 1-for-3 batting third as designated hitter, Japan spread out its nine innings among seven pitchers and shut down the U.S. And with it, Samurai Japan won the World Baseball Classic. offense down and in front of a partisan crowd with "USA!" The best player on the planet,

The World Baseball Classic came down to a Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout showdown. Here's how it played out -- and what to make of the thrilling finale.

[Mike Trout](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30836/mike-trout) -- for the World Baseball Classic title. In the ninth, Darvish pitched the eighth inning, nearly giving up the lead, and paved the way for Shohei Ohtani, who walked to the bullpen after sliding into second base on a double play. The U.S. to one run in the first two innings and the bullpen took it from there. The win gives Japan its third WBC title and ends Team USA's quest for a repeat crown.

The World Baseball Classic came down to a Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout showdown. Here's how it played out -- and what to make of the thrilling finale.

[Mike Trout](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30836/mike-trout) -- for the World Baseball Classic title. In the ninth, Darvish pitched the eighth inning, nearly giving up the lead, and paved the way for Shohei Ohtani, who walked to the bullpen after sliding into second base on a double play. The U.S. to one run in the first two innings and the bullpen took it from there. The win gives Japan its third WBC title and ends Team USA's quest for a repeat crown.

Ohtani came out of the bullpen to get the final three outs of the 3-2 win. MLB could not have scripted a better finish. Japan won its third ever WBC title and ...

In the semifinals against Mexico on Monday, Ohtani opened the ninth inning with a double to spur the game-tying rally. Ohtani was, truly, the best hitter and pitcher in the WBC. Japan won its third ever WBC title and thanks in part to the championship game save, Ohtani was named the World Baseball Classic MVP.

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was named MVP of the 2023 World Baseball Classic after dominating at the plate and on the mound to deliver Japan it's third ...

Ohtani’s only other save was in a Japan postseason playoff game in 2016. “What he’s doing in the game is what probably 90 per cent of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League or in youth tournaments, and he’s able to pull it off on the biggest stages,” U.S. Ohtani batted .435 with one homer, four doubles, eight RBIs and 10 walks as Japan joined the Dominican Republic in 2013 to become the only unbeaten champions of baseball’s premier national team tournament.

Shohei Ohtani closed out a 3-2 win as Japan won its first WBC title since 2009.

We came here to surpass them, to reach the top. All of it set up a dream final between two baseball powerhouses: Team USA, with its copious All-Stars and billion-dollar lineup, against Samurai Japan, the No. Throughout the tournament, Ohtani continued to amaze, as he has done both hitting and pitching during his five-year major league career. [Jeff McNeil](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33900/jeff-mcneil): a 101.5 mph fastball, the hardest Ohtani had thrown since coming to the United States -- until he would later face Trout. His teammate and good friend, [Mike Trout](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/30836/mike-trout), at the plate for Team USA. Otherwise, the American offense was feckless, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranding eight runners. Over the previous 17 days, the WBC had filled the typically staid March baseball calendar with heart-palpitating action: tournament favorite Dominican Republic getting ousted in pool play; a late-game, go-ahead grand slam that propelled the U.S. Samurai Japan, the juggernaut of this WBC, finished off the Americans to cap a 7-0 tournament. Starting with Shota Imanaga and ending with Ohtani, who also went 1-for-3 batting third as designated hitter, Japan spread out its nine innings among seven pitchers and shut down the U.S. And with it, Samurai Japan won the World Baseball Classic. offense down and in front of a partisan crowd with "USA!" The best player on the planet,