Dominican Republic odds-on to win World Baseball Classic

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic is stillthe favorite to win the 2017World Baseball Classic, four years after dethroningJapan as 2014 champion, as evidence by Las Vegas’ odds.

And while the US and Canada teams won’t superstarslike Max Scherzer and Joey Votto, respectively, the Dominican roster will counton its big guns.

Among the Dominican Major League stars in thetentative roster figure Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Manny Machado, Adrian Beltreand rookie Gary Sánchez.

The games start March 6 in Guadalajara,Mexico; Tokyo; Seoul, Miami and San Diego, while the playoffs are set forDodger Stadium in Los Angeles, March 20 to 22.

Defending champion Dominican Republic willopen Group C against Canada at Miami’s Marlins Park on Thursday, March 9.

The odds:

Dominican Republic 5/2

United States 3/1

Japan 3/1

Puerto Rico 10/1

South Korea 12/1

Venezuela 15/1

Cuba 18/1

Netherlands 25/1

Canada 25/1

Mexico 25/1

Italy 60/1

Taiwan 80/1

Australia 100/1

Colombia 100/1

Israel 100/1

China 100/1