World Baseball Classic 2013: Highlighting Top Contenders to Win Tournament

The first round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic is set to begin soon, with the round robin stage serving as the initial step to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

There’s plenty of intriguing nations participating, many which have the talent and discipline to navigate the arduous road to the championship game in San Francisco on March 19.

Let’s take a look at some of the favorites to bring glory home to their country at the conclusion of the WBC.

USA

The star-studded American lineup finally looks to have the tools needed to get the job done this March.

In the two previous installments of this tourney, the U.S. has failed to place higher than fourth, but should be able to nab at least third in this edition.

The roster includes elite players such as Ryan Braun, Adam Jones, Shane Victorino, Mark Teixeira, Jimmy Rollins, Joe Mauer, R.A. Dickey and numerous other veteran stalwarts and youthful stars.

Joe Torre, one of the most decorated managers in MLB history, will be managing this group and should help his players exert the heart required to win the WBC.

Don’t sleep on Team USA finally making some noise in international competition and showing that its homegrown talent is the best in the world.

Japan

Whatever the Land of the Rising Sun may be lacking in star power (there isn’t one MLB player on the roster this year) will be made up for in effort and willpower.

Japan takes immense pride in this event, winning both the inaugural WBC in 2006 and successfully defending its crown in 2009.

Four years later, the group has a chance to win a third title, but will be without Daisuke Matsuzaka (two-time MVP of this competition), Yu Darvish and Ichiro Suzuki.

Regardless, great Japanese players such as Shinnosuke Abe and Masahiro Tanaka will still participate and give this country a legitimate shot at a three-peat.

As long as Japan is connecting with the lumber, it will be in contention in the final rounds.

Venezuela

The Venezuelans may not be favorites, but they’ll start turning some heads once the bats start swinging.

This group features star players Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Gonzalez, Elvis Andrus, Asdrubal Cabrera and Pablo Sandoval, and looks like one of the better offenses from top to bottom participating in the WBC.

With Anibal Sanchez and Jhoulys Chacin being penciled in as the top two pitchers, and a mediocre bullpen to back them up, they are going to need to generate a ton of hits.

It will be interesting to see if Venezuela can succeed in spite of their so-so pitching, but we believe the offense will carry the country into the latter stages of the World Baseball Classic regardless.