Pool A features Cuba, Netherlands, Italy, Chinese Taipei and Panama
The Pool A teams are Cuba, Netherlands, Italy, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and Panama. Cuba was the 2006 runner-up in the first WBC, but has struggled since. The Netherlands have finished fourth in each of the last two WBC tournaments (2013, 2017). Panama is back in the event for the first time since 2009, while Italy and Taiwan are looking to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time in tournament history.
Odds are posted for Group Play and also the overall tournament winner at DraftKings Sportsbook, so let’s look at those and also some info on the teams.
Odds to Win Pool A
Cuba +110
Netherlands +250 Italy +500 Chinese Taipei +800 Panama +1200Team Cuba Roster
Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert and Yoenis Cespedes are the big names that most will know among the position players. Roenis Elias, Ronald Bolanos and Miguel Romero are the MLB pitchers that stand out the most. Livan Moinelo, Raidel Martinez and Yariel Rodriguez are solid pitchers over in Japan. Alfredo Despaigne has hit 443 home runs in his career and seven more in the WBC.