2017 World Baseball Classic Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

First Round (Round Robin)
- Pool A (in Seoul)
1. Netherlands (3-0)
2. Korea (2-1)
3. Taiwan (1-2)
4. Israel (0-3)

Some people would peg the Netherlands as the Pool A favorites, but I like The Netherlands to win this pool. They have a surplus of infielders such as Xander Boegarts, Andrelton Simmons, Didi Gregorius, Jurickson Profar, and Jonathan Schoop. Korea still has some talent on the roster such as Dae-ho Lee and Choi Hyung-woo, who will provide a lot of power in the lineup. Tawian lost a lot of talent from the previous WBC's due to some controversy when the leadership of the Chinese Professional Baseball League -- Taiwan's top pro league with four teams -- ruled to boycott the WBC, but three of the teams eventually decided to independently allow their players to participate. Still, that means three of the best hitters in the league won't be playing. Israel has a team of U.S-born players,
mostly minor leaguers. Key players include Ike Davis, Scott Feldman, Ryan Lavarnway, Craig
Breslow and former big leaguers Jason Marquis and Sam Fuld.

- Pool B (in Tokyo)
1. Japan (2-1)
2. Cuba (2-1)
3. Australia (1-2)
4. China (1-2)

This is the weakest of the four pools, but Japan is my pick here, despite losing some talent from previous WBC's. They still have a ton of talent on the roster that can pull this off. Cuba had a ton of offensive talent, but they are all in the big leagues now. Alfredo Despaigne will lead the way for this club. Australia's The pitching staff has some major league experience, with Liam Hendricks, Peter Moylan and Travis Blackley, plus several players who are in the minor leagues. China is a team with a lot of inexperienced players, so don't expect much from them.

- Pool C (in Miami)
1. USA (2-1)
2. Dominican Republic (2-1)
3. Canada (1-2)
4. Columbia (1-2)

This is by far the best pool of the four. USA is my pick to win this pool due with all the talent they have on the roster and the crazy thing is the best player on the planet in Mike Trout and the best pitcher on the planet in Clayton Kershaw aren't even playing in the tournament. The reigning champions Dominican Republic have a loaded lineup featuring Adrian Beltre, Robinson Cano, and Manny Machado. Canada can make some noise as well with a decent lineup featuring Freddie Freeman and Russell Martin. Columbia has some decent pitching that will keep them in games with Jose Quintana and Julio Terehan.

- Pool D (in Jalisco)
1. Venezuela (2-1)
2. Puerto Rico (2-1)
3. Mexico (1-2)
4. Italy (1-2)

This is a very decent pool. I did conspire picking Puerto Rico here, but I like Venezuela to win this pool. Their lineup is loaded with guys like Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Salvador Perez, and Jose Altuve. Puerto Rico has a loaded lineup as well with young stars Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor. Mexico has a decent team as well with a lineup featuring Adrian Gonzalez and Alex Verdugo. Their pitching staff is very good as well featuring Julio Urias and Marco Estrada. Italy has some talent on their roster as well such as Francisco Cervelli and Chris Colabello.

Second Round (Round Robin)
- Pool E (in Tokoyo)
1. Netherlands (2-1)
2. Japan (2-1)
3. Korea (1-2)
4. Cuba (1-2)

- Pool F (in San Diego)
1. USA (2-1)
2. Dominican Republic (2-1)
3. Venezuela (1-2)
4. Puerto Rico (1-2)

Championship Round (Single Elimination) (in Los Angeles)
- Semifinals
Netherlands vs Japan: There is a lot of talent on both rosters but I love the surplus of infield talent the Netherlands have and that will be a big difference here.
Prediction: Netherlands

USA vs Dominican Republic: This will probably be the best game of the entire tournament. Both teams have loaded lineups, but the USA pitching staff will be the difference here, in particular the bullpen.
Prediction: USA

- Championship
Netherlands vs USA: This should be a fun championship game. USA is clearly the better team here and they'll take home the WBC championship for the first time.
Prediction: USA