Two powerhouses in baseball are set to clash to begin their 2023 World Baseball Classic, with the Dominican Republic designated as the visiting team against Venezuela.
The Dominican Republic will seek a second WBC win, after finishing first in 2013. They’re widely considered favorites to win it all this season. The Dominican Republic took down Venezuela 3-0 in the Carribean Series Championship to win it for the 22nd time.
Venezuela finished third in the 2009 WBC but didn’t reach those heights in 2013 or 2017. Behind a powerful lineup, Venezuela’s odds of winning this year’s tournament are also high. First, a chance at payback awaits them.
This should be one of the most exhilarating matchups in pool play. Let’s see how it will unfold.
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela Match Details
Fixture: Dominican Republic @ Venezuela
Date and Time: Saturday, March 11 2023, 7:00 p.m. EST
Venue: loanDepot Park, Miami, Florida
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Dominican Republic | -1.5 | Over | TBD |
| Venzuela | +1.5 | Under | TBD |
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela Starting Pitchers
Who better to get the ball for the Dominican Republic than reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara? The Miami Marlin finished with a 2.28 ERA and 0.98 WHIP last season. He did that while leading the league in innings pitched. He posted career-best numbers in a ton of metrics and is arguably the best pitcher in the world. I certainly think he is.
However, his opponent, Martín Pérez, is no slouch either. The 11-year veteran also had a career season in 2022 while playing for the Texas Rangers. He posted a 2.89 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 32 starts in his return to Arlington. As a result, Pérez was rewarded with his first All-Star nod and a new contract just shy of 20 million dollars.
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela Betting Prediction
While both lineups are chock full of stars, Ronald Acuña Jr., Jose Altuve, Manny Machado, and Juan Soto among many more. However, this game also features two incredible starting pitchers and fresh bullpens that also have plenty of talent that MLB fans are familiar with. These are among the top two WBC rosters for a reason, and while it extends to more than just a deep pool of batters. I expect the pitching to dominate this game with all arms available in what could be a pivotal game in Pool D. Take the under.
