The World Baseball Classic is a tournament with opponents from all around the world. Ranging from Cuba to France, 20 different countries compete to win the title of best professional baseball team in the world. 

Battling through multiple high scoring games and nail biters, the USA team has fought their way to the WBC final Tuesday, Mar. 23, 2023  in Miami. Japan and USA playing on even grounds adds to the excitement of the final, with both teams walking off their games to advance in the tournament. USA walks it off to beat Venezuela and Japan takes the lead with a walk off double to overcome Mexico.

Baseball fans have really taken a liking to the new atmosphere of the WBC games due to the players’ ability to express their passion without fear of suspension or fines. USA vs. Venezuela was a good example of this game. The Venezuela pitcher becoming confident in his lead over the states, he begins gesturing after strikeouts, this pushes Trea Turner’s stadium shaking walk off grand slam. 

The face off Tuesday night proved an important one for both teams, but especially for players Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, teammates on the Los Angeles Angels. The matchup left the fans with a game to remember. 

The two Los Angeles starters ended up face to face in the top of the 9th inning. Trout stares back at his teammate and friend getting his signs for the pitch.  Ohtani wins the battle and takes the win for Japan with a final score of 3-2.

Though a heartbreaker for American fans, Japan’s team and supporters were ecstatic in the stadium. 

With a tough loss at the plate, Trout leaves the game in good taste in respect for his teammate. 

“Obviously [it] didn’t come out the way I wanted it to,” Trout said in a postgame interview with ESPN. “He won round one.”