Korea vs Japan Expert Picks, Odds & Watch Options for WBC
By Jordan Tomiyama in MLB Baseball
Published:
- Japan is a massive favorite (-1150) in their Group C tilt against Korea at the World Baseball Classic
- Japan is coming off a huge 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei, powered by a Shohei Ohtani grand slam
- See my Korea vs Japan predictions and expert picks, along with how to watch the WBC Game
The World Baseball Classic is starting to pick up steam, with multiple teams earning their first wins of the tournament, and that now includes Japan. They secured a 13-0 mercy-rule win against Chinese Taipei and will look to get their second win against Korea. Japan had the second-best odds to win the WBC while Korea had the eighth-best odds to win it all.
Keep reading for my Korea vs Japan predictions and expert picks, plus the latest odds and how to watch this WBC game. There will be a ton of MLB talent all over the field which makes this game even more enticing to watch.
Korea vs Japan Predictions and Picks
- Over 10.5 (-120 at DraftKings)
Both of these teams have scored 10+ runs in their first Group C matchup, so there’s no shortage of power in Japan and Korea’s lineups. Korea smoked four dingers in their tilt against Czechia while Japan scored 13 behind Shohei Ohtani’s brilliance. Shay Witcomb was outstanding for Korea, and his stat line included two home runs with three RBIs.
The star attraction for Japan is obviously Shohei Ohtani, and he didn’t disappoint the home crowd. He tallied three hits and five RBIs in Japan’s dominant victory. The home squad scored a staggering 10 runs in the second inning to completely take over the game. Masataka Yoshida had a brilliant game with two hits, one RBI and two runs to help his squad. Korea got off to a hot start in their first game as well, scoring four runs on a grand slam by Bo Gyeong Moon.
Korea has seven MLB players on its roster, while Japan has 10 players on MLB teams. Yusei Kikuchi will be Japan’s starting pitcher, and he was 7-11 with a 3.99 ERA. Ko Young-Pyo is a starting pitcher for the KT Wiz in the KOB. The right-handed pitcher is 11-8 in 2025 with a 3.30 ERA.
- Shohei Ohtani over 0.5 home runs (+170 at DraftKings)
No one can capture the attention of the baseball world as Shohei Ohtani does. He was dominant in Japan’s opening win, and he lit the Tokyo Dome up with a Grand Slam. He’s in a great position to go deep against the Koreans, and the home crowd will be LOVING every aspect of it.
Ohtani is a four-time MVP and a five-time All-Star. The Japanese switch-hitter crushed 55 home runs last while driving in 102 RBIs. He has tallied 209 dingers against right-handers in his MLB career. He isn’t afraid to hit a leadoff home run, as he has 24 career leadoff long balls. The World Series champ has hit at least 54 home runs as a member of the LA Dodgers.
Korea vs Japan Odds
Odds as of 1:55 PM ET, March 6th, at Draft Kings and Kalshi.
Korea vs Japan How to Watch
The first pitch between Korea and Japan is set for 5:00 am ET from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. FS1 will provide broadcast duties in America, while Sportsnet will handle coverage across Canada.
Japan is one of the three teams to host a World Baseball Classic, and everyone in that stadium will have their eyes glued on the superstar talent of this Japan squad.
