Picks, Betting Odds & How to Watch Australia vs Japan WBC Game on March 8

• Japan is an overwhelming -2000 moneyline favorite against Australia in Pool C play Suday
• Both teams enter undefeated so far at the WBC at 2-0
• See my Australia vs Japan picks, plus the latest odds and how to watch the WBC Game March 8

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It’s a battle for supremacy atop Pool C in the World Baseball Classic, as the powerhouse Japanese take on the Australians, in a battle of 2-0 teams.

Japan, a three-time WBC champion, has been laying the wood to the opposition in front of its home fans, a big reason they are massive favorites in the WBC odds.

Read below as I break down the Australia vs Japan matchup, and my best bet.

Australia vs Japan Picks

• Ohtani to Hit a Home Run (+125 at FanDuel )

As has been the case thus far at the World Baseball Classic, the books have been hesitant to offer more than moneyline odds, and there’s little appealing in taking the Aussies at +980 to upset Japan, and even less appealing taking Japan to win outright at -2000.

That would mean a massive $2000 wager, just to get a profit of $100. That’s no dice.

Instead, we’ll wager on Japanese superstar Shoehei Ohtani doing what he’s done so far at the WBC: mash.

SHOHEI OHTANI GRAND SLAM! #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC pic.twitter.com/z0BXjlYInF

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 6, 2026

Ohtani is hitting an astronomical .833 through two games, after a 2-for-2 effort against Korea on Saturday, as part of an 8-6 win. The Dodgers’ product and reigning 2-time champ hit a home run, drove in a run and scored three more runs to help his country to victory.

That’s after a monster opening game, where Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a grand slam home run, to go along with five RBIs and a run scored in a 13-0 mercy rule win over Chinese Taipei.

He’s already the betting favorite to win WBC MVP at +550 odds, and Ohtani has already hit more home runs than he did in 2023, when he took home the MVP award, with a slash line of .435/.606/.739, with one home run, four doubles and 10 walks.

SHOHEI GOES YARD 💥

Ohtani sends his second homer of the WBC in his second plate appearance vs. Korea.

(via @MLBONFOX)
pic.twitter.com/Kqe9yzBsgZ

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 7, 2026

Australia has confirmed its starting pitcher is righty Connor MacDonald, who was a product of the Houston Astros farm system, reaching Single-A before reinventing himself as a pitcher and converting to that full-time just three years ago.

He’s currently pitching in the Australian Baseball League, and posted a 6.23 ERA in 43 1/3 innings of work.

MacDonald’s game seems like a challenge matchup for Ohtani, as he struck out 47 batters in the ABL, which ranked third in the league.

Given that Ohtani has been devastating in front of the home crowd, I anticipate that, if Australia does indeed decide to pitch to him, that he’ll launch another home run in his third straight game.

Australia vs Japan Odds

As of Saturday evening at 7pm ET, the sportsbooks hadn’t come out with the full betting lines for Australia vs Japan, with only a moneyline wager available. Japan is an overwhelming -2000 favorite over at FanDuel, while Kalshi has an Aussie upset paying out at +1329 odds.

Odds as of March 7. New customers can claim the Kalshi referral code and get a bonus to bet on the World Baseball Classic.

Australia vs Japan: How to Watch

Action gets underway bright and early in North America at 6am ET, from the Tokyo Dome in Japan, where all Pool C action will be played. FS1 will provide the broadcast coverage in the United States.

Note that the FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports App and Tubi will air all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in the United States. Canadians will be able to watch all the games on Sportsnet.