Aaron Judge rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in Team USA's 14-4 exhibition win over the Rockies on March 4, 2026 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Getty Images Money is flowing Team USA’s way ahead of their 2026 World Baseball Classic opener against Brazil on Friday.
After a runner-up finish to Japan in 2023, the Americans are an odds-on favorite (-110) at theScore Bet as pool play gets going this week.
At opening, USA was +160 to win the tournament, but the massive in-flow of bets on the stars and stripes has odds shifting their way.
As of Thursday afternoon, 45.6 percent of bets and 46.7 percent of the handle is on Team USA to win it all.
It’s a similar story at BetMGM Sportsbook, who has moved the Americans from +140 to -110 with more than a third of the money coming in on the favorites.
Team USA comes into this year’s WBC with a roster full of big names as they look to avenge their devastating loss in 2023.
The starting pitching staff, headlined by Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb, is arguably the best the WBC has ever seen.
Logan Webb delivers a pitch during the Giants’ spring training win over the Angels on Feb. 24, 2026 in Tempe, Ariz. Getty Images Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh, Bryce Harper and Pete Crow-Armstrong fill out one of, if not the, best lineups in the tournament.
The star-studded bunch also drew a relatively easy field in pool play, with Mexico being the only true threat ahead of the quarterfinal round.
Their biggest competition will come from Japan and the Dominican Republic.
Japan features an excellent stable of arms as well with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga and, of course, Shohei Ohtani, who dominates with the bat as well.
Led by Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the DR’s deep lineup is perhaps the only one that can top the USA’s.
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
