The knockout bracket continues Saturday with another high-stakes World Baseball Classic doubleheader.
Two more semifinal spots will be decided as Puerto Rico (3-1) faces Italy (4-0, Pool B winner) in the afternoon, followed by a marquee showdown between Venezuela (3-1) and Japan (4-0, Pool C winner) under the lights.
Game 1 begins at 3:00 PM ET at Daikin Park in Houston, while Game 2 takes place at 9:00 PM ET at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida.
The path forward is simple: win and move on. The winners will meet in Monday’s semifinal at 8:00 PM ET in Miami, with a trip to the WBC championship game on the line.
Quarterfinal #1: Puerto Rico vs. Italy
Italy has been one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far.
The Italians cruised through Pool B with a perfect 4-0 record, highlighted by a stunning upset over Team USA that reshaped the entire bracket. Timely hitting and disciplined pitching have been the foundation of Italy’s run, and the group has shown it can compete with traditional international powers.
Puerto Rico arrives after navigating a competitive pool at 3-1. Known for its energetic style and deep baseball culture, Puerto Rico typically thrives in these types of spots.
From a roster standpoint, both teams also carry considerable financial muscle in this year’s tournament. Puerto Rico ranks fifth among the 20 WBC teams in total payroll, while Italy sits eighth.
Puerto Rico vs. Italy Game Info
- 📍 Where: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
- 📅 Date: Saturday, March 14
- ⏰ First Pitch: 3:00 PM ET
- 📺 Broadcast: FS1
Puerto Rico vs. Italy Current Odds
Here’s a snapshot of the latest betting lines for Saturday afternoon at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:
Odds subject to change.
Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Puerto Rico -125, Italy -105 |
| Run Line | Puerto Rico -1.5 (+140), Italy +1.5 (-185) |
| Total (Runs) | Over 8.5 (-115), Under 8.5 (-115) |
Puerto Rico & Italy WBC Championship Odds
Saturday’s result will undoubtedly shake up the futures market. Here’s where both sides currently stand:
- Puerto Rico: +1600 (5th-best odds remaining)
- Italy: +1750 (3rd-longest odds among final 8 teams)
If Italy continues its remarkable run, the championship odds board could see a dramatic shakeup heading into the semifinals.
Puerto Rico & Italy WBC MVP Odds
Several players from both rosters still have a path to the tournament’s most prestigious individual award.
Puerto Rico MVP Odds
- Heliot Ramos +6000
- Nolan Arenado +7500
- Seth Lugo +7500
- Willi Castro +7500
- Edwin Díaz +20000
Italy MVP Odds
- Vinnie Pasquantino +5000
- Dominic Canzone +10000
- Jac Caglianone +10000
- Aaron Nola +15000
- Jakob Marsee +25000
- Kyle Teel +25000
- Michael Lorenzen +25000
- Thomas Saggese +25000
- Sam Aldegheri +25000
Quarterfinal #2: Venezuela vs. Japan
Saturday night’s matchup may be the most anticipated quarterfinal of the entire tournament.
Japan has once again looked dominant, rolling through Pool C with a perfect 4-0 record. The defending champions combine elite pitching with disciplined offense, a formula that has consistently produced deep tournament runs.
Standing in their way is a dangerous Venezuelan squad that finished pool play at 3-1. Venezuela boasts one of the most explosive lineups in the tournament, capable of turning any inning into a scoring outburst.
Adding even more intrigue is the pitching matchup.
Ranger Suárez (Boston Red Sox) is expected to take the ball for Venezuela, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers) gets the start for Japan – a duel between two high-level MLB arms that could dictate the tone of the game.
The star power extends beyond the mound as well. Venezuela and Japan both rank inside the top four in total team payroll for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, checking in third and fourth respectively, underscoring just how much talent is packed into Saturday night’s showdown.
Venezuela vs. Japan Game Info
- 📍 Where: loanDepot park, Miami, FL
- 📅 Date: Saturday, March 14
- ⏰ First Pitch: 9:00 PM ET
- 📺 Broadcast: FOX
Venezuela vs. Japan Current Odds
Japan enters Saturday night’s quarterfinal as the betting favorite, while Venezuela will look to pull off the upset behind Suárez.
Odds subject to change.
Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Japan -180, Venezuela +140 |
| Run Line | Japan -1.5 (+115), Venezuela +1.5 (-145) |
| Total (Runs) | Over 7.5 (-125), Under 7.5 (-105) |
Venezuela vs. Japan Player Props
With stars on both rosters and a high-profile pitching matchup, the player prop board for this game should garner significant betting interest.
Strikeout Props
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto 6+ Strikeouts -130
- Ranger Suárez 5+ Strikeouts +115
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto 7+ Strikeouts +160
- Ranger Suárez 6+ Strikeouts +250
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto 8+ Strikeouts +325
Home Run Props
- Shohei Ohtani to Record 1+ Home Run +220
- Ronald Acuña Jr. to Record 1+ Home Run +450
- Seiya Suzuki to Record 1+ Home Run +525
- Salvador Perez to Record 1+ Home Run +700
- William Contreras to Record 1+ Home Run +900
- Shohei Ohtani to Record 2+ Home Runs +1750
First Plate Appearance Props
- Shohei Ohtani to Hit a Home Run in First Plate Appearance +750
- Shohei Ohtani to Hit a Double in First Plate Appearance +1000
- Ronald Acuña Jr. to Hit a Home Run in First Plate Appearance +1100
Hit Props
- Luis Arraez to Record 2+ Hits +185
- Shohei Ohtani to Record 2+ Hits +200
- Masataka Yoshida to Record 2+ Hits +275
- Seiya Suzuki to Record 2+ Hits +300
- Willson Contreras to Record 2+ Hits +375
- Wilyer Abreu to Record 2+ Hits +425
- Shohei Ohtani to Record 3+ Hits +900
Combo Props
- William Contreras & Willson Contreras BOTH to Record 1+ Hits +150
- Shohei Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki & Ronald Acuña Jr. ALL to Record 1+ Hits +190
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto & Ranger Suárez BOTH to Record 6+ Strikeouts +500
- Shohei Ohtani to Record 1+ Home Run & Ranger Suárez 5+ Strikeouts +600
- Shohei Ohtani & Ronald Acuña Jr. BOTH to Record 2+ Hits +850
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto 8+ Strikeouts & Shohei Ohtani to Record 2+ Hits +1100
- Shohei Ohtani to Record 1+ Home Run AND 3+ Hits +1200
- Shohei Ohtani AND Seiya Suzuki Each to Record 1+ Home Run +1750
Venezuela & Japan WBC Championship Odds
Both teams remain firmly in the championship conversation entering the quarterfinal round:
- Venezuela: +900 (4th-best odds to win)
- Japan: +375 (3rd-best odds in the field)
Venezuela & Japan WBC MVP Odds
Several players in this matchup also remain live in the tournament MVP race:
Venezuela MVP Odds
- Ronald Acuña Jr. +2250
- Jackson Chourio +4000
- Eugenio Suárez +5000
- Wilyer Abreu +6000
- Gleyber Torres +7500
- Maikel Garcia +7500
- Ranger Suárez +7500
- Salvador Perez +7500
- Eduardo Rodríguez +10000
- Luis Arraez +15000
Japan MVP Odds
- Shohei Ohtani +550
- Munetaka Murakami +6000
- Seiya Suzuki +7500
- Kazuma Okamoto +7500
- Masataka Yoshida +7500
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto +10000
WBC Semifinal Implications
Saturday’s winners will meet Monday at 8:00 PM ET at loanDepot park for a spot in the championship game.
- A Japan victory would keep the defending champions firmly on track for another title run.
- A Venezuelan win would set up a semifinal between two of the tournament’s most talented rosters.
- Meanwhile, Puerto Rico or Italy advancing would add another fascinating storyline to the bracket, whether it’s Puerto Rico’s return to the WBC spotlight or Italy continuing one of the tournament’s most surprising runs in its history.
Check Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook for the latest odds, player props, and live betting options before and after first pitch.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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