World Baseball Classic 2013 Schedule: Highlighting Can't Miss Contests

The 2012 World Baseball Classic begins tonight, and the next few weeks are going to bring some games that fans aren't going to want to miss for the world.

Oh, and did I mention that all of these games are in pool play?

Believe it or not, some of the tournament's best games are in the preliminary round, in the games that could mean a trip to the next stage of the Classic. With national pride on the line on top of wanting to win it all, these games are usually the ones that get the fans excited.

As the tournament kicks off, fans would be wise to tune into a small handful of games, even if it means waking up a bit early or staying up late.

Japan vs. Brazil: Saturday, March 2, 5 a.m. ET

On paper, this does not look like much of a game. Brazil is a first-time participant in the WBC this year, and Japan has walked away as champion in both the 2006 and 2009 tournaments.

However, don't be so quick to write this one off as a blowout.

Yes, Brazil may not be on the list of countries fans think of when they hear the words "baseball mecca," but this game is still going to be one to watch. You see, of Brazil's entire roster, 11 members are currently playing in the Japanese leagues, be it the Japanese Industrial League or Nippon Professional Baseball.

That means Brazil is at a unique advantage. Some of their players have first-hand scouting reports of the opposition, which could make for a close game. I don't know about you, but this is a game that I'm itching to watch.

Japan vs. Cuba: Wednesday, March 6, 5 a.m. ET

Easily the two largest baseball powerhouses in the world, watching Japan go toe-to-toe with Cuba on the field is going to be a chess match to end all chess matches.

Just which team has the edge? Is it speed and athleticism-oriented Japan, or a pure baseball squad in Cuba?

The fact of the matter is that these two countries probably have the best teams within the entire tournament, and seeing just which one reigns supreme in Pool A is going to be a hell of a lot of fun to watch.

Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic: Thursday, March 7, 6:30 p.m. ET

If Japan and Cuba are the two greatest baseball countries in the world, these two nations aren't far behind. Both Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have fielded excellent rosters for this year's WBC, and watching the two clash is going to make for either a slugfest or a ridiculously close game.

Venezuela may not have much in terms of starting pitching, with their best man on the mound being Detroit Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez, but their offense is a different story. That area is headlined by reigning American League MVP and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval.

Both men are sure to help Venezuela make a strong push for the second round, but the Dominican Republic is not to be counted out. With a lineup that features Robinson Cano, Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez, look for these teams to grind out to a close, potentially high-scoring game.

United States vs. Canada: Sunday, March 10, 4 p.m. ET

Team USA may not have the most glamorous of rosters this season, but watching them go up against Team Canada will make for a fine rivalry game of sorts. The United States has a solid pitching staff headlined by R.A. Dickey and Gio Gonzalez, plus a solid fireballer in Craig Kimbrel and also great hitters in David Wright, Ryan Braun and the ever-powerful Giancarlo Stanton.

However, don't write off Team Canada just yet. Their lineup features two former MVPs in Justin Morneau and Joey Votto, both of whom have shown great prowess with the bat, and their pitching staff is not to be taken lightly either.

Canada has a fine youngster in Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Jameson Taillon, plus veteran closer John Axford. It may not be a roster laden with All-Stars, but mark my words. Team Canada is going to give Team USA a game, and victory is anything but guaranteed for the Americans.