Picks, Predictions & How to Watch Japan vs Chinese Taipei (March 6)
By Ryan Potts in News
Published:
- Samurai Japan looks to defend its WBC crown from 2023
- Chinese Taipei dropped the opener to Australia
- Continue reading for my Japan vs Chinese Taipei picks and predictions
The highly anticipated World Baseball Classic returns to Tokyo with the defending champions, Japan, serving as a host country in Pool C play. Japan and Chinese Taipei battle at the Tokyo Dome at 5:00 am ET on Friday, March 6. FS1 will carry the broadcast.
Keep reading for my Japan vs Chinese Taipei picks and predictions. I have also added the game’s odds as well as a breakdown on how to watch the game.
Japan vs Chinese Taipei Picks
- Japan -4.5 Runs (+100, theScore Bet)
In the 2023 WBC, Japan won its first four games by five or more runs, dispatching all four group opponents by no fewer than six runs each. They clobbered Italy in the quarterfinals before winning one-run games against Mexico and the United States in the semifinal and final respectively.
While Chinese Taipei only lost by three runs in its opening defeat to Australia, Japan is a class above the Aussies. In 2023, Chinese Taipei went 2-2 in group play, defeating the Netherlands and Italy between blowout losses to Panama and Cuba.
- Over 7.5 Runs (-110, theScore Bet)
In 2023, Japan scored 52 runs across seven games, covering this 7.5 line by itself in three group matches and the quarterfinal. In the remaining three games, the over hit twice. The only game which featured the under was Japan’s 3-2 win in the final.
From a run-scoring perspective, I do not expect Chinese Taipei to produce much against a stingy Japanese pitching staff. In 2023, Japan surrendered just eight runs in the group stage. However, Japan should supply runs in the bucket loads with the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki, and Munetaka Murakami in the lineup.
Japan vs Chinese Taipei Predictions
- Munetaka Murakami to Hit a Home Run (+320, FanDuel)
Speaking of Murakami, I am backing the Chicago White Sox’s new addition to homer on Friday morning. In the 2023 WBC, he went 6-for-26 (.231) with three doubles and a home run. Murakami shined in the biggest spots, delivering a walk-off double in the semifinal and a game-tying home run in the final.
Japan vs Chinese Taipei Odds
Japan is a huge favorite in this WBC clash. On the moneyline, Samurai Japan is listed at -650 on BetMGM with a -4.5 mark on the runline (+100 on theScore Bet). Chinese Taipei, in comparison, is a long +640 on the moneyline at FanDuel and +4.5 on the runline at ScoreBet (-130).
The run total is set at 7.5 runs. Over bettors can take over 7.5 for -110 odds on ScoreBet. Under bettors can take under 7.5 for -120 odds on ScoreBet.
Japan vs Chinese Taipei: How to Watch
Japan vs Chinese Taipei will take place on Friday, March 6 at 5:00 pm ET in the Tokyo Dome. Locally, the game is a primetime affair, with Samurai Japan hosting (but hitting as the visiting team) at 7:00 pm local.
In the United States, viewers can watch on FS1 and Fox Deportes. The game is available on MLB Audio as well as Sirius XM.
Japan vs Chinese Taipei: Starting Pitching Preview
Japan: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
An All-Star and World Series MVP, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is perhaps the second-brightest star on Samurai Japan. Last season, Yamamoto anchored the Dodgers with a 2.49 ERA across 173.2 regular-season innings. He finished third in Cy Young voting. He was even better in the playoffs, pitching to a 1.45 ERA in 37.1 innings. He dealt two complete games and closed out Game 7 of the World Series on zero days rest.
Chinese Taipei: Hao-Chun Cheng
From a Dodgers legend to a former Dodgers farmhand, Hao-Chun Cheng pitched games in the Arizona Complex League for the Dodgers in 2021. Since then, he has pitched in his native CPBL for three seasons. He has made 31 starts, pitching to a 2.70 ERA. Last season, he had a 1.49 ERA in 54.1 innings (11 starts), posting a 0.902 WHIP.
Pitch Limits
In the group stage, pitchers are limited to just 65 pitches. Baring ultimate cruise control, neither pitcher is likely to pitch beyond three or four innings.
Ryan Potts is a veteran football and baseball content creator. He was previously a credentialed NFL media member, covering the draft, bombine, and Super Bowl. He has been featured on Atlanta sports talk radio and Arizona student radio. Ryan is a journalism graduate from the University of Arizona.
