Team Venezuela continues their World Baseball Classic campaign at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, locking horns with team Israel in Miami. Both teams are in Pool D, alongside the Dominican Republic, Netherlands and Nicaragua.
Let’s take a look at the odds, preview, prediction and best betting tips for the opening fixture of the World Baseball Classic.
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World Baseball Classic: Venezuela vs Israel Odds
Money Line: Venezuela (-320), Israel (+252)
Run Line: Venezuela -3.5 (-115), Israel +3.5 (-105)
Total Runs: Over 9.5 runs (-110), Under 9.5 runs (-110)
Preview – Probable starting pitchers and lineups
Venezuela probable starting pitcher: Enmanuel De Jesus
Southpaw Enmanuel De Jesus gets the nod to start Venezuela’s second World Baseball Classic fixture. Having made his professional debut with the Miami Marlins in 2023, De Jesus has spent the past two seasons in the KBO. He signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers over the winter.
Playing for the KT Wiz in 2025, De Jesus posted a 9-9 record, along with a 3.96 ERA and 165 strkikeouts.
Venezuela predicted lineup
- OF Ronald Acuna Jr.
- 3B Maikel Garcia
- 2B Luis Arraez
- 1B Willson Contreras
- DH Salvador Perez
- OF Wilyer Abreu
- C William Contreras
- OF Javier Sanoja
- SS Andres Gimenez
Israel probable starting pitcher: Ben Simon
For team Israel, Ben Simon takes the mound. A minor league pitcher in the New York Mets organization, Simon is quite inexperienced at the professional level, as compared to Enmanuel De Jesus.
He currently plays for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Mets’ double-A affiliate. He enjoyed a strong 2025 season, finishing with a 2.98 ERA with 60 strikeouts.
Israel predicted lineup
- OF Harrison Bader
- 1B Spencer Horrowitz
- DH Matt Mervis
- 3B Jake Gelof
- C Garrett Stubbs
- SS Cole Carrigg
- OF Troy Johnston
- OF RJ Schreck
- 2B Benjamin Rosengard
Though Israel have a fair amount major league talent on their roster, the Venezuelan squad outshines them by quite some distance.
With a confidence boosting 6-2 win against the Netherlands behind them, team Venezuela should have no problems making it two wins out of two at the World Baseball Classic.
Prediction: Venezuela 7, Israel 2
Betting tips
There is a significant gulf in quality between both teams, be it from an offensive standpoint, or in terms of the pitching matchup. Team Venezuela should have more than enough quality in their lineup to navigate their way to a comfortable victory.
Money Line: Venezuela (-320)
Run Line: Venezuela -3.5 (-115)
Total Runs: Over 9.5 runs (-110)
Edited by Raghav Mehta
