The 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway and Pool D play begins in Miami, Florida on Friday. One of the more interesting matchups of the day takes place at 12 p.m. EST sharp as the Netherlands take on Venezuela. Back in 2023, the Venezuelans went unbeaten in pool play, but can they do it again in the latest edition of the international tournament?
Let’s preview today’s Netherlands vs. Venezuela tilt in the WBC with a prediction and pick brought to you by odds and lines on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Netherlands vs. Venezuela prediction, preview
You might not expect it, but the Netherlands have one of the more talented infield pairings of any roster in this field. MLB stars Ozzie Albies and Xander Bogaerts likely man the interior spots at second base and shortstop, and while the former comes off something of a down year after hitting just .240 last season, the switch hitter has the chance to start 2026 on a high note here. Of course, Bogaerts recorded a .719 OPS in 2025 as a staple of the Padres’ roster, so there’s plenty of potential at those two spots. A 36-year-old Didi Gregorious is also expected to start at third base as well, though he’s had a few years off from the MLB.
While the outfield includes Ceddanne Rafaela, who improved at the plate last season for the Red Sox and brings plenty of fielding prowess as well, the team did lose a star player to suspension. Jurickson Profar, who slashed a .787 OPS with 14 HR in 80 games for the Braves last season, tested positive for PEDs — he’s now set to miss all 162 games of the MLB season and is ineligible to suit up for the Netherlands after playing for the team in 2023. As such, Diamondbacks prospect Druw Jones could play a large role in the outfield for this roster and brings a career .738 OPS in the minor leagues to the plate.
The pitching staff is less impressive though, with few standout options who MLB fans will recognize aside from reliever Kenley Jansen, who recorded a 2.59 ERA and 0.95 WHIP last season while striking out 57 batters in 59.0 innings.
As for Venezuela, the roster is and should be considered a contender in this tournament. Just look around at the MLB talent across the board. One Braves outfielder who will appear in this tournament is Ronald Acuna Jr., the former MVP who slashed .290/.417/.518 with a .935 OPS and 21 homers, holds things down in right field as part of a stacked perimeter that includes Brewers standout Jackson Chourio and Wilyer Abreu. In the infield, Maikel Garcia just hit .286 last season in Kansas City and is joined by notorious contact hitter Luis Arraez at the opposite corner as well. That’s not to mention that future Hall-of-Famer Salvador Perez mashed 30 homers and is behind the plate… with Eugenio Suarez fresh off a 49-dinger campaign and stepping into the box as the designated hitter.
There are enough stars across the board on this lineup sheet that it’s difficult to name them all, and that’s not even getting into the arms. Prized Red Sox signing Ranger Suarez logged a 3.20 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 154 punchouts and a career-best 3.97 SO/BB last season, and there are a handful of very solid relievers to count on.
Netherlands vs. Venezuela pick, best bet
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Venezuela is listed as a 3.5-run favorite with -500 odds to win on the Moneyline. The Netherlands odds of an outright upset come in at +360 with a combined run total of 9.5.
For the Netherlands, right-handed Pirates prospect Antwone Kelly (3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 8.63 K/9) gets the start. However, he’s only 22 years old and hasn’t appeared above the AA level in his young career. The aforementioned Ranger Suarez (3.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.64 K/9) starts against him for Venezuela, with the left-handed hurler giving his team a significant edge.
That pitching matchup spells significant trouble for the Netherlands, but the Venezuelan batters have to be looking at the projected starter with glee. The chance for some of the MLB’s brightest starts to tee off on a young arm with minimal experience doesn’t always come around, and certainly not in an environment like this one with national glory on the line. With far superior talent across the board and their own ace on the mound, Venezuela should dominate in this contest to kick off their tournament run.
