Japan Wins World Baseball Classic Final Over Team USA

Team Japan, lead by Shohei Ohtani, has won the World Baseball Classic after defeating Team USA in the final on Tuesday.

Team Japan has won the 2023 World Baseball Classic 3-2 over Team USA. It was a matchup for the ages that also had one of the most anticipated matchups in baseball history in its ninth inning: Los Angeles Angels stars Mike Torut vs. Shohei Ohtani.

In a battle of the heavy weights, Japan felled the United States by playing sound baseball with superior pitching. Despite a home run from Philadelphia Phillies duo Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, it wasn't enough to take down Ohtani and Japan. 

Japan adds its third World Baseball Classic championship after winning in 2006 and ’09. 

As exciting as this tournament was, it didn't come without controversy. Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will miss the first few months of the season after suffering a broken right thumb, while New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz will miss the entire season with a knee injury.

Sold out crowds and some of the most electric atmospheres is what highlighted this competition. So much in fact that the Tuesday's final was one of the most watched baseball games in the entire sport's history. 

It also has MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred talking about moving the date of the next tournament in order to facilitate more participation. 

Either way, the tournament lived up to its billing as Japan out on a show on the largest stage. 

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

1. Phillies Star Bryce Harper Doesn't Hold Back on Thoughts About Joe Girardi
2. How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
3. Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023?
4. Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
5. Bryce Harper-Obsessed Japanese Baseball Star Wants to Play for Phillies
6. Six Philadelphia Phillies Declare Free Agency
7. Rumored Phillies Free Agent Target Just Opted Out of Contract
8. Jimmy Rollins Describes Disrespectful Treatment by Ryne Sandberg
9. Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
10. Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup

---

Make sure to follow Inside the Phillies on Substack and Twitter!