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What’s at stake Tuesday night in the World Baseball Classic final between the United States and Japan at Miami’s LoanDepot Park?

Oh, just global baseball bragging rights for at least the next three years.

It’s the matchup that most baseball fans have been not-so-secretly hoping for throughout the tournament — and it’s finally here, for the WBC trophy. Now all that’s left to find out is whether the defending champs, Team USA, repeat — or Japan wins its third WBC title after eliminating Mexico in a dramatic semifinal.

We asked our team of baseball experts to make their picks, break down the two finalists and share their favorite highlight from what has been an earth-shaking WBC tournament so far.


The matchup

First pitch: 7 p.m.

Japan (6-0 in 2023 WBC)
Starting pitcher: Shota Imanaga

USA (5-1 in 2023 WBC)
Starting pitcher: TBD


What to expect from Team USA

Why the U.S. can win: Because that lineup is devastating, particularly when it goes back-to-back-to-back with Trea Turner, Betts and Mike Trout in the Nos. 9, 1 and 2 spots. That’s three of the most complete offensive players in the sport, capable of beating teams with their speed, power and on-base ability. And Turner, who has homered three times in his last two games, is especially hot right now. — Alden Gonzalez

What can stop it: For as deep and talented as Team USA’s position player group is, the pitching staff seems a bit vulnerable, particularly the first 21 outs, before Devin Williams and Ryan Pressly can factor into the game. Performance from the middle relievers — a group consisting of Adam Ottavino, David Bednar, Kendall Graveman and Daniel Bard, the latter of whom suffered noticeable command issues in his last appearance — will be critical. — Gonzalez

Player to watch: Trout. The all-world outfielder has been waiting for this moment seemingly his whole career. It hasn’t come with the Angels yet, so this is the next best thing — a chance to lead Team USA to a WBC title. And imagine this: He could get a chance to bat against Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani in the championship game. — Jesse Rogers


What to expect from Team Japan

Why Japan will win: Because this team is incredibly talented, from Shohei Ohtani to Masataka Yoshida to Munetaka Murakami — the three players who capped the ninth-inning rally against Mexico to advance to the finals — and all the way down the lineup. Because their team, called Samurai Japan, has a long history of excelling in international tournaments. Because they have the better starting pitcher, Yu Darvish. And because it’s tough to pick against a team that still hasn’t lost in the tournament. — Jeff Passan

What can stop it: Team USA’s lineup is really, really good, with All-Stars from top to bottom, something Cuba learned in its 14-2 semifinal loss. Beyond the power of Team USA, though, there’s a matter of the bullpen. Even though these are the best of the best in Japan, the quality of stuff they have seen on their route to the final is just different than what the American pitchers, particularly the relievers, have to offer. Japan wants to grab an early lead, because clawing from behind against rested American relievers will be tougher than it was against Mexico. — Passan

Player to watch: Ohtani. Who else could it be for Japan? In truth, this team has several stars who have had great moments during the WBC, but Ohtani will start at DH and still could be called upon to pitch late in the game. If all goes perfectly, Ohtani will help get Japan a lead and then pitch his country to a championship in relief.— Rogers


Best moment of the WBC so far … and will anything in the final top it?

Gonzalez: Trea Turner’s grand slam in the eighth inning of Team USA’s thrilling victory in the quarterfinals. The atmosphere inside LoanDepot Park was electric, the excitement among the U.S. players was palpable — and it was the exclamation point for one of the most intense, back-and-forth games in recent memory, in any setting. As to whether something will top it in the final? Yeah, maybe. This year’s tournament has continually exceeded expectations.

Passan: Mexico-Japan, for a spot in the WBC finals. It’s the bottom of the ninth. Mexico leads by a run. The best player in the world steps up and whacks a double. A star in Japan, who will soon be one in America, draws a walk. The best hitter in Japan hammers a game-winning double off the wall to score both, bringing a chaotic, madcap, gorgeous baseball game to an end. Ohtani, Masataka Yoshida and Munetaka Murakami will go down in baseball lore for making Japan 6, Mexico 5 a reality. It was just a reminder that the WBC brings the intensity of October, only in March.

Rogers: Randy Arozarena doing just about anything could qualify for the best moment — the catches, the celebrations, the vibes. But can it really be anything other than Turner’s slam to save Team USA’s season? Yes, Japan’s walk-off Monday to reach the finals came close, but Turner’s slam is the moment.


Predictions: Final score and MVP

Gonzalez: USA 6, Japan 4. MVP: Mike Trout

Passan: Japan 2, USA 1. MVP: Shohei Ohtani

Rogers: USA 8, Japan 6. MVP: Mookie Betts

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U.S. shut out by Switzerland at hockey worlds

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U.S. shut out by Switzerland at hockey worlds

HERNING, Denmark — Switzerland, last year’s runner-up, shut out the United States 3-0 and handed the Americans their first loss at the ice hockey world championship Monday.

Damien Riat, Jonas Siegenthaler and Dean Kukan scored in the Group B game in Herning. Netminder Leonardo Genoni stopped 23 shots for the shutout.

“Give credit to Switzerland,” U.S. coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “But I know our group has a lot more in them. We’ll regroup and get ready to play Norway.”

Riat put Switzerland ahead with 7:14 remaining in the first period, redirecting the puck into the goal from the air. It was the first goal the U.S. conceded at the tournament.

The second followed 3:13 later by Siegenthaler from the blue line. Kukan’s came halfway through the final period from the top of the left circle.

“After the first goal we did a better job,” Swiss forward Kevin Fiala said. “We got into it more and more, and shut them out.”

Fiala recorded an assist in his first game at the worlds. He joined the Swiss late after his Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the NHL playoffs in the first round.

U.S. goalie Joey Daccord made 24 saves.

The U.S., which beat Denmark 5-0 and Hungary 6-0 in its first two games, will next face Norway on Wednesday.

In other games, Martin Necas had two goals and David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists as the defending champion Czech Republic used a four-goal middle period to ease past Denmark 7-2.

Nick Olesen also had a goal and an assist for Denmark.

In Stockholm, Sweden topped archrival Finland 2-1 on goals from Leo Carlsson and Jonas Brodin for a third victory in regulation from three games.

Austria defeated Slovakia 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

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Leafs’ Domi fined $5K for hit to Panthers’ Barkov

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Leafs' Domi fined K for hit to Panthers' Barkov

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was fined $5,000 — the maximum amount allowed by the league’s collective bargaining agreement — for boarding Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov as time expired in Game 4 of their second-round Eastern Conference playoff series Sunday.

Toronto was trailing 2-0 when the final buzzer sounded, and Domi hit Barkov from behind, sending him headfirst into the boards. Domi was given a minor penalty for boarding at the time while several other scrums broke out before officials moved players off the ice.

Florida’s victory evened the best-of-seven series at 2-all. Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Toronto.

Toronto coach Craig Berube didn’t comment on the Domi hit directly Monday, but he did say he thought Dmitry Kulikov‘s hit on Mitch Marner “was way worse”

On that play, the Panthers defenseman caught Marner up high with an elbow, leaving the Leafs forward momentarily dazed. No penalty was called on Kulikov.

It wasn’t the first elbowing incident to draw attention in the series.

In Game 1, Panthers forward Sam Bennett sent an elbow to the head of Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz shortly before Stolarz left the game. He was later hospitalized for further evaluation and hasn’t been able to resume skating since. There is currently no timeline for his return.

The physical intensity of the series might continue to rise now that it’s down to being a best-of-three. Based on how Game 4 played out, the Leafs are prepared to push back when they host Florida on Wednesday.

“We expected [the physicality], and I think we’re fine with it,” Berube said. “We’re handling it. We’re physical. I thought we were the more physical team [in Game 4].”

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Stars’ Heiskanen still on pace to return vs. Jets

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Stars' Heiskanen still on pace to return vs. Jets

DALLAS — Stars coach Pete DeBoer expects injured star defenseman Miro Heiskanen to play in their series against the Winnipeg Jets.

“I’m still sticking by what I projected: that we would see him in the second round,” DeBoer said Monday during an optional Dallas practice.

The Stars lead their series with the Jets 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Tuesday night.

Heiskanen remains day-to-day, with him not having played since Jan. 28, when his left knee was injured in a collision with Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone. Heiskanen had knee surgery and has been working his way back to the lineup since Winnipeg’s opening-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. Heiskanen had 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 50 games this season, averaging 25:10 in ice time.

Monday was a scheduled off day for Heiskanen. DeBoer said he’ll be “back at it tomorrow.” The coach said that any decision on Heiskanen’s status will be made together by the coach, the player and the team’s medical staff.

Last round, DeBoer said everything was “on the table” to ease Heiskanen back into the lineup, including playing seven defensemen. The coach said he’s not looking for the 25-year-old defenseman to log his usual minutes right away, having ranked fifth in the NHL in average ice time during the regular season.

“I don’t think there are specific restrictions, but we’re not going to put ‘im out on the ice for 30 minutes in his first game back in three months,” DeBoer said. “We’ll have to be smart about that.”

Dallas forward Jason Robertson has seen firsthand what it’s like to go from watching the playoffs to competing in them. He returned to the Stars’ lineup after being injured in an April 16 game, making his postseason debut in Game 1 at Winnipeg.

“You’re coming back from injury, so whatever you had is obviously going to bother you. So that’s the No. 1 thing. And then getting up to game speed in the playoffs is a different animal,” he said. “There’s no hiding out there. Every moment’s heightened, every missed assignment, any forecheck. Anytime you get beat up the ice, everything just gets heightened. So you just try to be super simple out there until you get your legs back and get in game shape. That could take a little bit.”

The Stars have weathered the loss of Heiskanen thanks to the depth of their defense corps. Thomas Harley has filled in on the power play, collecting four points in the postseason. Veteran Cody Ceci has handled an increase of over two minutes per game in ice time. Players such as Lian Bichsel and Alexander Petrovic have played effectively, DeBoer said.

“I think it’s been exceptional what our group’s done,” the coach said.

Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel acknowledged that Dallas, already leading in the series, will get an instant emotional boost when Heiskanen returns.

“An elite, elite player obviously,” he said. “We can’t worry about somebody that’s not here. If all of a sudden we show up and he’s out there in warmups, then yeah, we certainly have to recognize it.”

With the possibility there that Heiskanen could return as early as Game 4, Arniel would be fine if the Stars continued to take a cautious approach with their star defenseman.

“Hopefully, he takes a little bit more time to make sure he’s getting back on it,” the Jets coach said with a grin.

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