Fans proclaim Team Japan as heavy favorites to win record third WBC title after dazzling display versus Team Italy

Team Japan continued their impressive run at the 2023 World Baseball Classic with a fifth straight win on Thursday. Led by the offense, Japan went on to defeat Italy 9-3 at the Tokyo Dome. The win means they progress to the semifinals, which are set to take place on March 20 in Miami, Florida.

Team Italy was no match for a Japanese side that has been exceptional throughout the tournament. With 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani on the mound, this was always going to be an uphill battle. First baseman Kazuma Okamoto was the standout player with a home run and five RBIs on the night.

Japan has scored 47 runs so far and averages a whopping 9.4 runs per game. On the defensive side, Japan has one of the strongest pitching rotations in the tournament.

WBC fans took to Twitter to once again laud Japan after another magnificent display.

The comprehensive victory solidified Team Japan as the favorites for many fans. They have defeated China, Korea, Australia, Italy and the Czech Republic.

Team Japan will progress to the semifinals which is set to take place in Miami, Florida

One concern for Japan is that they are set to lose their home field advantage. They have played every game so far at the Tokyo Dome, but are now set to shift to the United States for their semifinal encounter. They will face the winners of the Puerto Rico versus Mexico game.

Team Japan is the only team to have won more than one WBC title. They won the inaugural event back in 2006 and repeated the feat in 2009. The United States and the Dominican Republic have both won the tournament on one occasion.

Japan has never finished lower than third place at a World Baseball Classic. Another victory will mean that they are able to preserve that impressive record.

Mike Trout and the USA offense are struggling to get going. The Dominican Republic has already been eliminated. It is tough to imagine any team stopping this phenomenal run. Fans around the globe agree that Japan is the heavy favorite for a record third WBC title.

About the author

Sahir is a journalist covering Major League Baseball at Sportskeeda. He grew up a New York Yankees fan after attending his first game at Yankee Stadium in 1995. He has also lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, the Bay Area and the Dominican Republic. His all-time favorite sports moment was watching Aaron Boone hit the walk-off home run in the 2003 ALCS.

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