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Few tournaments deliver baseball drama like the World Baseball Classic, and few are more fun to bet.

We’ll be updating this page every day throughout the 2026 WBC with our top baseball picks, best bets, odds breakdowns, and quick-hit analysis for every matchup, from the opening round to the championship game in Miami.

WBC best bets for Tuesday, March 10

Czechia vs Japan prediction

Best bet: Over 9.5 (Yes – 80small¢/small)

Japan’s pitching staff wasn’t going to be as dominant as 2023, with Yoshinobu Yamomoto being the main holdover. We’ve seen that in close results against Australia and Korea.

Luckily, they still have Shohei Ohtani and a bevy of other major league talent leading a lineup that has plated 25 runs over three games in this tournament, with Ohtani going deep twice and owning a crazy 2.025 OPS.

Czechia is a good story, but this team full of part-time players already has a -25 run differential. The best bet here is to back Japan to power this game Over the total.

Read Andrew Caley’s full Czechia vs. Japan predictions.

2026 World Baseball Classic schedule

What is the World Baseball Classic?

Think of the World Baseball Classic as baseball’s version of the FIFA World Cup, but with more flair, louder horns, and way more bat flips. This isn’t your standard MLB grind; it’s a high-stakes sprint where players swap their club jerseys for their national colors, playing for pure pride for countries like Japan, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the USA.

If you’re used to the slow burn of the MLB regular season, the WBC is a serious shot of adrenaline. For sports bettors, that mix of elite All-Star talent and “win-or-go-home” desperation creates a beautiful kind of chaos.

Between the electric crowds and the elimination game urgency, you get a level of volatility and raw emotion you just don’t see in a Tuesday night game in July. When every pitch feels like a Game 7, the betting value goes through the roof.

4 ways WBC betting differs from MLB betting

The World Baseball Classic may feature plenty of MLB stars, but betting these games is nothing like betting a regular-season big league matchup. Here are four key ways they differ:

1. Pitcher usage: Starters often work on tighter pitch counts, shorter leashes and less predictable schedules, which means bullpens can take over much earlier than expected. That can flip the script on full-game sides and totals in a hurry, and it puts even more value on first five innings markets.

2. Roster makeup: MLB teams are built for six months. WBC teams are built to survive a short, high-pressure sprint. Some lineups are stacked with superstar talent but have real holes in the lower half. Others don’t have the same star power, but they’re deeper, cleaner defensively and more reliable on the mound. In this format, depth can be just as valuable as headline names.

3. Pool-play chaos: Pool-play games don’t always play out like standard baseball games because managers are managing to advance, not to conserve for tomorrow. Bullpen aggression, pinch-hit moves, defensive substitutions, and even run differential can all impact late-game strategy.

4. Variance is king: In MLB, the long season usually smooths everything out. In the WBC, one crooked inning, one elite reliever or one superstar swing can decide everything. That creates more upset potential, more momentum swings, and more value if you’re paying attention to matchup context instead of just brand-name players.

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade “Event Contracts” which are simple Yes/No questions like “Will the Eagles win this Sunday?” These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

No matter how the 2026 season ends up going, we’ll always have the fourth inning of a who-cares Spring Training game on March 9.

The White Sox steamrolled Colorado, 12-3, on the wings of a ridiculous 11-run outburst in the fourth inning.

In the words of White Sox beat writer and witness to the massacre Scott Merkin, who in a quarter-century of coverage may never have witnessed an 11-run inning in Spring Training, and certainly not one accomplished without making an out:

The White Sox social media account certainly acted like this was commonplace:

Here’s the blow-by-blow of the miraculous inning:

Oliver Dunn led off with a triple. Drew Romo singled to center field, sending Dunn home. William Bergolla Jr. singled Romo to third, taking second on the throw trying to get Romo. Chase Meidroth tripled to deep right-center field, scoring both Bergolla and Romo. Braden Montgomery singled, sending Meidroth home. Andrew Benintendi singled Montgomery to third, followed by an Austin Hays single to right-center that pushed Benny to second and plating Montgomery.

That seems like a lot, right? The five runs without a single batter retired made the score 6-0, White Sox. But wait — there’s more!

LaMonte Wade Jr. singled to pack the sacks, and then Tristan Peters walked, pushing Benintendi home.

Yes, the White Sox batted around without making an out!

Dunn was back with more power, this time via an RBI single that would keep the bases loaded. After homering in the second and with two hits this frame, Dunn was a double away from the cycle — with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth!

Romo tripled — the third three-bagger of the inning — and sent three players across home plate. Finally, Bergolla grounded out, but still drove Romo in. For those not keeping count, the White Sox had 10 hits in a row, one walk, and three triples before the Rockies recorded a single out.

While this game was all about the bats, the pitching was impressive as well, holding Colorado to three late runs, at a point when the regular lineup was probably having a pizza party in the clubhouse for putting up 12 runs in its first 12 outs.

Starter Jedixson Paez pitched for two innings, only allowing one hit and striking out two. The outing was key, both in that it allowed Paez to bounce back from a six-run disaster his last time out, and perhaps give the White Sox more reason to keep the Rule 5 hurler into the season.

Mike Vasil, who’d also struggled a bit this spring, took over on the in the third inning and allowed one hit, two walks, and a strikeout over three innings. While the pitching was mostly positive today, the real story comes in the fourth inning.

Brandon Eisert came on after that and threw another scoreless outing, two innings with two hits, a walk and a K.

The Rockies attempted a comeback in the eighth when Drew Avans doubled to left field, allowing Roldy Brito to score. They also loaded the bases when Robert Calaz walked, allowing Avans to score. They also had a solo run in the ninth from Roc Riggio, but that was all they could muster.

While the Rockies managed seven hits, it wouldn’t be a match for the 16 White Sox hits.

In other White Sox news: Seranthony Domínguez helped secure a win for the Dominican Republic, knocking out Israel in a 10-1 win.

The United States is 2-0 thus far in Pool B in the World Baseball Classic, as is Mexico, which places high stakes on Monday night’s game in Houston in terms of advancing to the quarterfinals.

Italy is also 2-0, and the top two teams advance out of each pool. Team USA plays Italy on Tuesday, and Mexico and Italy on Wednesday. The first of this three-game gauntlet is Monday night, and Paul Skenes is on the mound for the United States.

No Will Smith in the lineup on Monday, with Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh behind the plate against Mexico.

Monday game info

• Event: World Baseball Classic, Pool B
• Teams: United States vs. Mexico
• Ballpark: Daikin Park, Houston
• Time: 5 p.m. PT
• TV: Fox
• Radio: MLB Audio, Sirius XM

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

We’re almost there. In just over two weeks, the Yankees will open the 2026 MLB season in San Francisco against the Giants. Final rosters around the league are still being developed, so we don’t know just yet what each of 30 teams will look like when the season starts. But we know a decent chunk about it now, so why not speculate?

Focusing on the American League, who do you think will be the toughest foe for the Yankees to take down this season? Is it the Blue Jays, who narrowly beat out the Yankees for the AL East last year, took them out in the playoffs, and then nearly won the World Series? They’re probably the favorite, but you don’t have to look too hard around the internet to find people doubting their ability to repeat that magic. Maybe you’re more of a believer in the youthful Red Sox, now also infused with Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras. The Mariners came oh-so-close to dispatching the Jays in the series before the Fall Classic, and their oft-vaunted pitching should stand to rebound from 2025 anyway. The Tigers added more Astros nemesis Framber Valdez to a rotation that also included two-time defending Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, so Detroit won’t be a walk in the park either.

So make your vote known! And while you’re at it, just for fun, pick a team in the second question’s prompt, which asks about the worst team in the American League. There are certainly some ignominious contenders.

The NBA has cancelled plans by the Atlanta Hawks to hold a promotional collaboration with a strip club at one of their games next week.

The Hawks had intended to partner with Atlanta-based adult entertainment venue Magic City for the visit of Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference on 16 March.

There were no plans to host adult entertainment at the Hawks’ State Farm Arena home before, during or after the game but concerns arose at the NBA over the idea of partnering with a strip club.

The Hawks had described Magic City as an “iconic cultural institution” in a story on their website promoting the event and had announced plans relating to food, music and merchandise as part of a “Magic City Monday” in-arena experience.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league “reached out to the Hawks leadership” in order to “better understand their plans and rationale” before deciding to step in.

“While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees,” Silver said.

“I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

The Hawks said that they were “disappointed” by the NBA’s decision but “fully respect” it.

A statement added: “As a franchise we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta – with authenticity – in ways that continue to unite and brings us all together.”

The Yankees optioned Spencer Jones to minor league camp, the team announced on Monday, ending the outfield prospect’s bid to make the big league roster for Opening Day.

It was always a bit of a long shot for Jones to make the Yanks’ roster out of camp with Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Aaron Judge set in the outfield and Giancarlo Stanton at DH, and he was in an uphill battle competing with the speedy, switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez to be the youngster on the bench.

The six-foot-seven outfielder has an abundance of power, to the tune of 82 home runs over his last three minor league seasons, but the big flaw in his game will be that he strikes out at an outrageous rate, 534 times over that same span.

“Those are the challenges of being a big guy,” manager Aaron Boone said recently. “It’s a hard thing to figure out, but if you can do it, [that size is] a massive advantage.”

Jones, who did hit a 427-foot blast early in spring, had six hits in 18 at-bats for the Yanks with three home runs and seven RBI.

“He’s done a nice job. He’s worked really hard this winter to make adjustments to try to hone his craft and had pretty good results here the first few weeks of games,” Boone said recently of Jones, who turns 25 in May.

Jones, now the Team’s No. 6 prospect in the system according to MLB Pipeline, is still looking to make his MLB debut.

The club also announced right-hander Elmer Rodriguez, the team’s No. 3 prospect and No. 82 in all of baseball, to minor league camp.

Rodriguez had a solid season at High-A Hudson Valley with a 2.26 ERA over 83.2 innings, and at Double-A Somerset posted a 2.64 ERA over 61.1 innings last season. 

The 22-year-old made one appearance at Triple-A last season and expects to start there this season and could be in line for his big league debut later this summer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Adrian Kempe scored his second goal of the game with 1:26 left in overtime to give the Los Angeles Kings a 5-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.

With the victory, Los Angeles moved within a point of Seattle in the race for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

Columbus tied the score late for the second straight home game. Kirill Marchenko scored on the power play at 18:04 to force the extra period.

Brian Dumoulin had a goal and two assists. Scott Laughton scored for the second straight game since joining the Kings from Toronto and added an assist. Artemi Panarin also scored. Anton Forsberg made 28 saves for Los Angeles in the opener of a five-game trip.

Connor Garland scored twice — his first goals since coming to Columbus from Vancouver — and Denton Mateychuk added a goal and an assist. Jet Greaves made 26 saves for Columbus, which has lost two straight at home.

The Blue Jackets are two points behind Boston in the race for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot, and three points behind the Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division.

Los Angeles killed off a high-sticking double minor to start the game before Dumoulin set up Laughton in front of the net at 6:46 of the first. Panarin made it 2-0 at 14:47 with his second goal since joining the Kings from the New York Rangers on Feb. 4.

Garland cut the lead in half with 2:25 left in the period, snapping a career-long 24-game scoring drought. Mateychuk tied it with 9:07 remaining in the second period, and Garland’s second goal put Columbus ahead 81 seconds later.

The lead was short-lived as Kempe tied the game with 5:51 remaining in the second period. Kopitar’s assist was his 167th on a game-tying goal, the most in Kings history.

Dumoulin scored with 9:53 left in the third period, but Marchenko tied it with a power-play goal with 1:56 left,

Columbus defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who missed 42 games earlier this season due to injury, left in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return.

The game had a rare 4 p.m. weekday start after being rescheduled from Jan. 26, due to a blizzard in Columbus.

Up next

Kings: Visit Boston on Tuesday.

Blue Jackets: Visit Tampa on Tuesday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

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The sunny California weather offers a stark contrast to the current state of the New York Knicks.

New York exits a bad loss to the Lakers on Sunday, and now faces the Los Angeles Clippers in the latter half of back-to-back road outings tonight, with tip-off set for 10:00 p.m. ET on Peacock.

My Knicks vs. Clippers predictions believe New York needs a gritty effort from power forward Josh Hart to escape La-La Land with at least one win. 

Here are my best NBA picks for Monday, March 9.

Knicks vs Clippers prediction

Knicks vs Clippers best bet: Josh Hart Over 10.5 points (-105)

Josh Hart was limited to 22 minutes in Sunday’s one-sided loss to the Lakers, finishing with just eight points on 4-for-8 shooting.

Hart is an engine for this New York Knicks offense, especially in tight turnarounds. His energy on the boards and dribble-drive attack lead to high-percentage looks. 

Hart also bounces back from poor performances, averaging 13.5 points over his last 11 games following a sub-10-point effort.

Projections all sit north of 11 points with a ceiling closer to 12 vs. the Los Angeles Clippers, with Hart logging his normal workload and perhaps more minutes, with Mitchell Robinson doubtful.

Knicks vs Clippers same-game parlay

The Knicks are 15-8 SU coming off a loss and have held their own against Western Conference competition, with a 15-9 straight-up mark in non-conference games.

Hart is forecasted for 11+ points and should see more minutes than he did in Sunday’s loss with Robinson sitting out. Over the past 11 games in which Hart failed to score double digits, he’s bounced back with 11 or more points in eight of those following contests.

Brook Lopez presents a problem inside for a Knicks frontcourt running a little thin. Some models have Lopez going for 11 points tonight.

Knicks vs Clippers SGP

• Knicks moneyline
• Josh Hart Over 10.5 points
• Brook Lopez Over 8.5 points

Our “from downtown” SGP: Hart Attack

The Knicks bounce back from yesterday’s bad offensive effort, and Hart beats strong, not only topping his points total, but picking up the slack on the glass with projections as high as 7.6 rebounds.

Knicks vs Clippers SGP

• Knicks -2.5
• Over 220.5
• Josh Hart Over 10.5 points
• Josh Hart Over 6.5 rebounds

Knicks vs Clippers odds

• Spread: Knicks -2.5 (-105) | Clippers +2.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Knicks -135 | Clippers +115
• Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)

Knicks vs Clippers betting trend to know

The L.A. Clippers are 15-9 Over/Under vs. Eastern Conference foes, including 7-4 O/U in non-conference home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Clippers.

How to watch Knicks vs Clippers

Knicks vs Clippers latest injuries

John Collins has been ruled out for a fifth consecutive contest for the Clippers with a neck strain. Mitchell Robinson is out for the Knicks due to load management as he continues to nurse a sore ankle.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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