Baseball fans react to the Dominican Republic’s stacked World Baseball Classic lineup: "We taking home the title" "With Sandy Alcantara starting too" 

Team Dominican Republic is listed as the betting favorite to win this year's World Baseball Classic. After seeing the team's lineup for Saturday's opening game against Venezuela, we now know why.

The Dominican Republic's lineup reads like that of a roster for an All-Star Game, with MLB superstars such as Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Teoscar Hernandez, Rafael Devers, Wander Franco, and Jeremy Pena highlighting the team's batting order.

Oh, and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara is taking the mound for the opener. In his home park with the Miami Marlins.

Good luck, Venezuela.

The Dominican Republic is +220 to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic, not far ahead of two-time WBC champion Team Japan and defending tournament champ Team USA -- both of which are at +260, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Fans of the Dominican Republic are understandably stoked.

Did we mention that when Ranger Suarez does manage to get three outs against the Dominican Republic lineup, then Venezuela still have to face Alcantara?

Not that Team Venezuela is without offensive star power with Jose Altuve, Ronald Acuna Jr., Luis Arraez, Miguel Cabrera, Salvador Perez, Eugenio Suarez, et al, but still... that's a tough haul for any team to overcome.

And did we mention that the Dominican Republic lineup is without Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Eloy Jimenez? It is truly an embarrassment of riches emanating from the Caribbean nation.

And again, no knock on Venezuela. Their team is no pushover by a longshot. And the Dominican Republic will have to play a proper game to win. However, there is a reason why the Dominican Republic is +220 and Venezuela is +1000.

But, as the old saying goes, that's why they play the games. So play ball!

Dominican Republic seeking to join Japan as two-time World Baseball Classic champions

Team Dominican Republic kneels on the field prior to practicing during World Baseball Classic Pool D Workout Day

There remains just one two-time winner of the World Baseball Classic: Japan. The Japanese won the first two WBC tournaments in 2006 and 2009.

The Dominican Republic ended Japan's stranglehold on the championship by winning the 2013 WBC before finishing outside the top three in the last tournament in 2017.

That WBC was won by the USA, who remain the defending champs as the 2021 tournament was delayed until this year due to the worldwide pandemic.