Who will be the starting pitchers for the WBC final? USA vs Japan lineup prediction

The WBC final featuring the USA and Japan could be one for the ages. The two sides have survived plenty of threats to reach this point. Now, it's all or nothing for both countries.

The USA and Japan are widely considered two of the strongest forces when it comes to baseball and here they stand, ready to face off against one another in the summit clash.

It appears that Team Japan will turn to Shota Imanaga to start. This will be his first appearance for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He is a three-time Sawamura Award (effectively the Cy Young) winner in the NBL.

The USA could also turn to an inexperienced pitcher for the WBC championship in the shape of Merrill Kelly. The Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher will look to douse the red-hot Japanese lineup.

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Lineups for USA vs Japan WBC final

The USA vs Japan WBC game is the last these teams will play in the tournament, so expect the managers to go all out. They'll start their best lineup and use every pitcher they have at their disposal.

Despite pitching recently, expect Shohei Ohtani and Adam Wainwright to come in in relief if necessary. As for the lineups, the teams will likely run something like this:

1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Mike Trout, CF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Kyle Tucker, LF
6. Tim Anderson, 2B
7. Kyle Schwarber, DH
8. J.T. Realmuto, C
9. Trea Turner, SS

USA vs Japan WBC finals- Who comes out on top?

Team Japan might look like this:

1. Lars Nootbaar, CF
2. Kensuke Kondoh, RF
3. Shohei Ohtani, DH
4. Masataka Yoshida, LF
5. Muneteka Murakami, 3B
6. Kazuma Okamoto, 1B
7. Shugo Maki, 2B
8. Sosuke Genda, SS
9. Takuya Kai, C

These are two incredibly dangerous rosters, so the first-time WBC pitchers will have their work cut out for them.