Who won USA vs. Japan WBC final? Breaking down a classic slugfest between two baseball powerhouses

Japan won the 2023 World Baseball Classic, defeating Team USA 3-2 in a thrilling championship game at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The game was tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning when Japan's Munetaka Murakami hit a home run to level the score. Team USA's Trea Turner opened the scoring with a solo home run.

Japan then took the lead with an RBI ground out from Lars Nootbaar, followed by a flyout from Kensuke Kondoh. Japan extended its lead to 3-1 with a home run from Kazuma Okamoto in the fourth inning. Kyle Schwarber homered for Team USA in the eighth inning to make it 3-2, but Japan's Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in the ninth inning to seal the win for Japan. The victory gives Japan its third World Baseball Classic title, having previously won in 2006 and 2009.

Japan were crowned the World Baseball Classic champions

Japan went through the entire tournament undefeated, winning all seven of its games. The team's bullpen was a key factor in the championship game, with seven pitchers being utilized, including six starters.

Yu Darvish pitched the eighth inning, nearly giving up the lead, but Ohtani came in to record the save in the ninth inning. For Japan, Ohtani was a standout player throughout the tournament, finishing with a .435 batting average, four doubles, and a home run, as well as a 1.86 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched.

Yu Darvish also helped seal the win for Team Japan in the WBC final

Team USA had opportunities to score, but failed to capitalize on them. The team went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, its worst mark ever in the World Baseball Classic. In the ninth inning, Jeff McNeil drew a leadoff walk against Ohtani, but Mookie Betts bounced into a double play, and Trout struck out on a full-count slider after getting four consecutive 100-mph fastballs.

Japan has won the World Baseball Classic for the third time in the team’s history. The Samurai are the only team who have won more than once, with the Dominican Republic and USA having one each. Shohei Ohtani was named the tournament’s MVP in what was one of the best performances we have seen from the outstanding player.