USA vs Japan WBC Final: Lineups, Start Time, and TV listings

We are set for the final match of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which will be played between Team Japan and Team USA on March 21. The game will start at 7 p.m. local time and will be played at LoanDepot Park, Miami, Florida. Here's everything you need to know about the fixture:

Probable starting lineups

Team USA:

Mookie Betts, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Kyle Schwarber, LF
Will Smith, C
Pete Alonso, DH
Tim Anderson, 2B
Trea Turner, SS

Team Japan:

Lars Nootbaar, CF
Kensuke Kondoh, RF
Shohei Ohtani, DH
Matasaka Yoshida, LF
Munetaka Murakami, 3B
Kakuma Okamoto, 1B
Tetsuto Yamada, 2B
Sosuke Genda, SS
Yuhei Nakamure, C

As for the pitchers, Shota Imanaga of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars is expected to start for Japan while the USA will go with Arizona Diamondbacks star Merrill Kelly. Both have had a good run at the WBC.

Here's the television schedule for the final day of the tournament:

March 21, 7 p.m. (EDT) United States vs. Japan - Final

For viewers in the United States, FuboTV is an excellent way to watch live streaming of the World Baseball Classic. It offers multiple channels like FS1 and FS2 that broadcast all the games of the tournament. Other options to watch the game live include Hulu and Prime Video, among several others. Other countries also provide several regional options to watch the tournament.

WBC finals are set for the most awaited matchup of the tournament

Heading into the WBC, the USA and Japan were the clear favorites to reach the finals and challenge for the championship. Now, baseball fans have been granted their wish, a final matchup between the USA and Japan. This means that Los Angeles Angels teammates Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani will go head-to-head and try to win it all for their country.

The game promises to be a thriller as the biggest names in international baseball take center stage. Both teams are stacked with talent and there's no say on who will come out on top. It promises to be a high scoring and tight encounter which will probably be decided by whichever team plays better on the day. The world of baseball will no doubt be glued to their screens to witness the biggest international showdown of the year.

About the author

Nishant Borooah is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2023 and has a degree in Media Studies and Journalism.

Nishant is currently pursuing a diploma in Sports Marketing, and his interest in baseball was piqued early on by his father, who fell in love with baseball as a student in the US. His father used to regale him with stories about America's favorite pastime and they have left an impression on him.

Currently residing in Toronto, Nishant is a Blue Jays fan. revering Ichiro Suzuki growing up, Nishant remains in awe of the Japanese legend's longevity and sheer passion for the game. Suzuki's return to the Seattle Mariners in 2018 remains one of Nishant's favorite MLB moments.

One of Nishant's strengths is that he always covers the technical side of the story, and he is also particular about historical context to ensure articles are informative and easy to follow.

Besides being a writer, Nishant is also a soccer coach who has worked with several clubs in India like Shillong Lajong FC and RoundGlass Punjab FC.

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Edited by Rajdeep Barman