The World Baseball Classic (WBC), MLB’s international championship tournament, was set to be played in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed indefinitely.
The tournament takes place every four seasons during Spring Training with qualifier games played one year prior. The event features players from all over the world competing for their country in a playoff-style format that takes place in multiple countries.
Now with COVID-19 cases closing in on an all-time low, the 2023 World Baseball Classic schedule is in place, with qualifying games taking place this weekend in Germany, and at the end of the month in Panama.
The WBC first began in 2006 and ended with Japan defeating Cuba 10-6 at Petco Park. The tournament was also held in 2009 at Dodger Stadium, which saw Japan defend their title with a 5-3 win in 10 innings over South Korea.
After the 2009 tournament, MLB decided to host the World Baseball Classic every four seasons instead of every three, making it a more similar style to the Olympics. A new winner was declared in the 2013 WBC as the Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 at AT&T Park.
The last WBC held was in 2017 and the championship game was once again played at Dodger Stadium, but this time the United States won 8-0 over Puerto Rico.
Ian Kinsler hit the only home run of the game while Marcus Stroman picked up the win after throwing six shutout innings while allowing just one hit. Seth Lugo took the loss, lasting only four innings while allowing four runs.
The only Los Angeles Dodgers player to appear in the game was Kiké Hernández, who started in center field for Puerto Rico.
Prior to the delay in 2020, Walker Buehler and Cody Bellinger both unofficially committed to playing for Team USA in 2021.
Dodgers in 2023 World Baseball Classic
The 2023 WBC will see the Dodgers represented by Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Trea Turner on the Team USA roster. Dino Ebel is also part of the United States coaching staff. The entire Team USA roster will be officially announced at a later date.
Meanwhile, Julio Urías committed to playing for Team Mexico.
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