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World Baseball Classic Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (3/13)

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The World Baseball Classic has been full of surprises so far, with major upsets and sleepers that are in a position to win their pool. On Monday, the action continues with some big games for the top teams in the tournament. Below are two bets I'll be playing in this evening's games.

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Monday:

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Monday’s Best World Baseball Classic Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Israel vs. Puerto Rico over 9.5 (-115) – 1u

This is going to be an interesting game, as Puerto Rico looks to rebound from yesterday's 9-6 loss to Venezuela while Israel looks to build on yesterday's 3-1 win over Nicaragua. Puerto Rico is a heavy favorite in this game, and if the total does go over, it will likely be on the backs of their star-studded lineup. Francisco Lindor, MJ Melendez, and Javier Baez are among the names to watch in the Puerto Rican lineup. They should be in for a productive day against Israeli pitcher Colton Gordon, a minor-league pitcher in the Astros' system. Israel will turn to Gordon after staff ace Dean Kremer delivered a solid outing in yesterday's win.

Puerto Rico will be dependent on a nice outing from Jose De Leon, the third pitcher in their rotation. De Leon will have some pressure on him to last beyond the first few innings, as Jose Berrios was torched in yesterday's loss and left the game after the first inning. Puerto Rico will have a thinned-out bullpen coming into tonight, and while De Leon is a quality pitcher, he's not on the same level as Berrios or Marcus Stroman, Puerto Rico's other star pitcher. 

With both teams past the star pitchers in their rotation and PR playing with a depleted bullpen, it wouldn't surprise me to see this game go well over the total. These lineups are loaded with enough talent to take advantage of these pitching matchups.

USA -3.5 (-120) – 1u

After a surprising loss to Mexico last night, the USA is in a surprisingly precarious spot. They will very likely need to win both of their next two games, against Canada and Colombia, to advance past pool play. On the mound, the USA looks to have an advantage over Canada in tonight's game. Lance Lynn will take the hill for the United States against Mitch Bratt. Lynn, a member of the White Sox pitching staff, is the third starter for the USA. Bratt, a minor league pitcher in the Rangers' system, is Canada's second starter.

I expect the USA lineup to dominate Bratt and the Canadian team with their backs against the wall. The American lineup reads like an all-star team – Betts, Trout, Goldschmidt, Arenado, and Alonso were in the 1-5 spots in the order last night against Mexico. Canada's lineup has a few recognizable names – most notably Freddie Freeman – but lacks the depth of the United States’ order.

The wide spread in this game is justified – I expect Lance Lynn to pitch well under pressure and the USA team to roll Monday night in a must-win game.

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