So much attention has been paid to the USA’s quest for redemption in this 2026 World Baseball Classic, but at least it made the final in 2023. The Dominican Republic didn’t even get out of pool play, thanks to losses to Puerto Rico and Venezuela, in what at the time, was dubbed that tournament’s “death” group.
The DR will be very motivated to do better in this incarnation of the WBC, and with a lineup chalked full of MLB MVP candidates, I’d hate to be any country standing in its path. Apologies to Nicaragua.
Can the Dominicans get off to a strong start in Pool D? Let’s preview this 7:00 p.m. ET WBC tilt with the help of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic prediction, preview
On the DraftKings Sportsbook, the Dominican Republic is a massive favorite on Friday night, with -1400 odds on the moneyline. Yet, it does make sense. There’s an argument to be made that the Dominicans have the most potent lineup in this tournament. Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Ketel Marte and Julio Rodriguez are back from that underwhelming 2023 squad, but this time they’re joined by Junior Caminero, Fernando Tatis Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Geraldo Perdomo. This isn’t a roster rounded out by past-their-prime veterans like we saw three years ago.
The other glaring hole with the ’23 edition of DR was the pitching staff. That shouldn’t be as large an issue this time around, and the presence of Cristopher Sanchez is a huge reason why. In terms of non-American starting pitchers at this event, Sanchez may be the best of the bunch, though Japan’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto also has a serious case. In 2025, by fWAR, Sanchez was the third most-valuable pitcher in MLB (6.4), trailing only Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. The lefty threw 202.0 innings, maintaining a 2.50 ERA and a 2.55 FIP. Sanchez’s biggest strength? A 96th percentile ground ball rate (58.2%) that helped the southpaw allow the fewest opponent home runs per nine of any qualified pitcher (0.53). There’s a reason he was so high on so many NL Cy Young ballots.
It probably goes without saying, but Nicaragua’s Ronald Medrano does not have the same track record or pedigree as the aforementioned Sanchez. The 30-year-old did toss 31.0 innings in Double-A in the Royals’ system back in 2023, but lately, Medrano’s mostly found himself taking the mound in Mexico. That’s pretty much par for the course when it comes to Nicaragua’s pitching staff. There’s no real notable names here aside from JC Ramirez, who last pitched in MLB in 2019, and Erasmo Ramirez, who has pitched for seven different MLB squads since the beginning of 2018. The latter Ramirez is currently a free agent and is 35-years-old.
Dusty Baker’s team does have a little bit more talent in its positional player group, headlined by the Mets’ Mark Vientos. The third baseman regressed slightly after a 27-home run outburst in 2024, but Vientos still owns a career .199 ISO at the MLB level. Cheslor Cuthbert and Jeter Downs will be the other names that most baseball fans recognize, though Downs’ main claim to fame at this point in his career is being a bust following his inclusion in the Mookie Betts trade. Not ideal!
Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic pick, best bet
Best Bet: Dominican Republic -5.5 (+113)
Might as well lean into an alternate run line. I envision this game going very similarly to this morning’s contest between Japan and Chinese Taipei. Like, we might be getting our second dose of the mercy rule. In any case, the over on DR’s 7.5 run total on the DraftKings Sportsbook is +100. I’d rather back them to win by at least six runs at a better number. It’s not like Nicaragua is much of a threat to score.
