2017 World Baseball Classic: Group B Analysis

Group B will take place in Tokyo Dome

Here is a look at Group B for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. In this piece, we will look closer at the competition for Samurai Japan in this pool.

For our thoughts on Samurai Japan's roster, click here. 

Where: Tokyo Dome

When: March 7-10

Who: Japan, China, Australia, Cuba

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Japan

Best finish: Won gold in 2006 and 2009

Notable players: See full roster here.

Analysis: Samurai Japan is considered a favorite for this tournament, but not the No. 1 favorite, according to the betting odds. Some oddsmakers might have given them the edge had Shohei Otani been playing, but this team is still stacked with talent. There are plenty of question marks if Japan faces elite talent elsewhere, but they are good enough to compete with any other team.

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China

Best finish: 1st round (11th place in 2009)

Notable players: P Kwon Ju, OF Gui Yuan Xu, P Bruce Chen

Analysis: China will be led by John McLaren, who is remembered for managing the Seattle Mariners from 2007-2008.  Like South Korea's team, China's team is about who isn't there when they were eligible. Vance Worley, Austin Brice and Kolten Wong could have potentially been part of this squad. Xu is a prospect in the Orioles system while Ju is currently in KBO. Chen is mostly remembered for his time with the Kansas City Royals. Overall, there isn't much to like about this squad as they are one of the largest underdogs in the group.

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Australia

Best finish: 1st round (12th place in 2009)

Notable players: P Liam Hendriks, P Peter Moylan, OF Mitch Dening

Analysis: Hendriks is the only one currently with an MLB contract, while the rest are in the minors or in another league. With Hendriks gone, the roster takes another hit. There's quite a presence of MLB castoffs including Travis Blackley, Ryan Rowland-Smith and Peter Moylan. The ABL season concluded earlier this month and most of this team isn't as rusty as someone from MLB would be. There are also plenty of guys from the minors who participated in the ABL season.

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Cuba

Best finish: Lost in Finals (2006)

Notable players: OF Alfredo Despaigne, OF Frederich Cepeda, OF Yoelkis Cespedes, P
Freddy Álvarez, P Vladimir García\

Analysis: Cuba is one of the oldest teams in this competition with the mean age being 30 years old. The country decided it wouldn't allow any defectors who left for MLB or MiLB to play for them in the WBC, making this roster a mystery for the most part. Yoelkis Cespedes is the younger half-brother of Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

Both Álvarez and García should be mainstays in the rotation to keep games competitive. Hitting is a concern as a whole outside of Despaigne, but the pitching should remain interesting. The biggest advantage this squad has is the continuity of playing with each other for more than a month. They participated in the Caribbean Series in February and will have more time together than any other team prior to the WBC.

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Outlook: 

The consensus vibe among both experts and fans has Japan finishing on top of the group with Cuba advancing in second place. China does not stand a chance, while Australia could squeak out a win at best. Cuba's squad isn't as well-known to the rest of the world, but the talent is there to still win the group if they can catch Japan in the opening game on March 7.

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Group A Analysis

Group C Analysis

Group D Analysis

Samurai Japan roster Analysis

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