With Team Japan winning the World Baseball Classic, the fever of WBC is over. When talking about the final showdown between Japan and the USA, the atmosphere in the arena was crackling with electricity. The stadium lights were casting a magnificent glow on the behemothian players who have made it to the top, as they battled against each other for the grand title of world champions. Japanese players, the greats of the baseball world, were determined to maintain their standing as the powerhouse team of WBC.
With the likes of Shohei Ohtani leading the charge, the team had a lineup that strikes fear into the hearts of their opponents. Although Team USA lost the final, they came prepared with a lineup that has left people gaping. The best out of the best of MLB played out there on the field for the USA and it was nothing short of impressive, especially when it comes to their MLB contracts.
Team USA has a brilliant lineup worth $1.7 billion
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Team USA has pulled out all the stops and has assembled a $1.7 billion lineup for the final showdown of the World Baseball Classic. Leading the charge were Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt, and Nolan Arenado, some of the biggest names in MLB. Kyle Schwarber was the designated hitter rather than Pete Alonso. And in a surprise move, Cedric Mullins took the third outfield spot over Kyle Tucker.
Team USA has assembled a $1.7 billion lineup for the World Baseball Classic Final 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7WboeiHGiz
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 21, 2023
One player who really stepped up to the plate was Trea Turner. With a grand slam that was a real game-changer for Team USA, he’s the player to look out for in the 2023 regular season. And with a contract of $300 million with the Philadelphia Phillies, it’s clear that he’s worth every penny!
Other players who are raking in the big bucks, are Mike Trout with his $426.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, and Mookie Betts’s $365 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers isn’t too shabby either.
World Baseball Classic: USA vs Japan final showdown highlights:
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Currently, both teams have been putting up a tough fight. However, it’s team Japan that emerged as the victor. They kept everyone on the edge of their seats with their incredible play throughout the game. Sure, everyone knows about Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, but the player who’s really been stealing the show is Munetaka Murakami. He sent a solo home run soaring, which tied the game in the second inning. And he’s not the only one – Kazuma Okamoto added to Japan’s lead with another home run in the fourth inning, playing a crucial role in Japan’s 3-2 over Team USA.
A quick answer from Japan!
Munetaka Murakami solo homer to tie this thing up! 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/8CJJsoe1M2
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023
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But it’s not just the hitting that’s been impressive. The Japanese pitchers have been pulling out all the stops too. Shosei Togo left Trea Turner swinging, while Hiroto Takahashi managed to get the better of Mike Trout himself. Even though the Ohtani-led Japan won the WBC final, Team USA also put dominant performances game after game before making it to the WBC finals.
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