Czech Republic Defeated... "Next Up: Japan and Taiwan" (Comprehensive)

WBC Group C Opener: Dominant 11-4 Victory
Moon Bokyung's Grand Slam, Whitcomb Blasts Two Home Runs
Starter Soh Hyungjun Tosses Three Scoreless Innings
Fateful Clashes Ahead: Japan on the 7th, Taiwan on the 8th

The Korean national baseball team marked their first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) with a refreshing victory. This is their first opening game win in 17 years since defeating Taiwan 9-0 in 2009.

Under the leadership of manager Ryu Ji-hyun, Korea defeated the Czech Republic 11-4 in the first Group C match of the 2026 WBC group stage, held at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on March 5. Home runs by Mun Bokyung (LG Twins), Shay Whitcomb (Houston Astros), and Jermiah Jones (Detroit Tigers) led the team to victory.

Korea will play against Japan (March 7, 7:00 p.m.), Taiwan (March 8, 12:00 p.m.), and Australia (March 9, 7:00 p.m.) in succession during the group stage. The top two teams from the group will advance to the quarterfinal tournament in Miami, Florida, United States, starting March 14. Korea reached the semifinals in the inaugural 2006 tournament and finished as runners-up in the 2009 tournament, but suffered the disappointment of being eliminated in the group stage in each of the last three tournaments (2013, 2017, and 2023).

Korean players are performing a plane ceremony after overwhelmingly defeating the Czech Republic in the first match of Group C in the World Baseball Classic group league. Tokyo=Yonhap News Agency

Korea’s starting lineup for the day consisted of Kim Doyoung (KIA Tigers), Jones, Lee Junghoo (San Francisco Giants), An Hyunmin (KT Wiz), Mun Bokyung (LG Twins), Whitcomb, Kim Hyesung (Los Angeles Dodgers), Park Dongwon (LG Twins), and Kim Juwon (NC Dinos). This was the same lineup used in the exhibition game against the Orix Buffaloes on March 3.

The batting lineup exploded from the first inning. With the bases loaded and one out after two walks and a hit, Mun Bokyung hit a grand slam over the right-field fence. The home run traveled 130 meters. Korea added one more run in the second inning, making it 5-0, and in the third, Whitcomb hit a solo home run over the left-field fence. Whitcomb played a decisive role in the victory by hitting a two-run home run to left field in the fifth inning, when Korea was being chased 6-3.

Starting pitcher So Hyeongjun (KT Wiz) put up a solid performance, allowing four hits, striking out two, and giving up no runs over three innings. Noh Kyungeun (SSG Landers) also pitched a scoreless fourth inning in relief.

In the top of the fifth, with Korea leading 6-0, Jung Woojoo (Hanwha Eagles) gave up a three-run home run to Terrin Vavra, allowing the Czech Republic to close the gap to three runs. However, Park Younghyun (KT Wiz), Cho Byunghyun (SSG Landers), Kim Younggyu (NC Dinos), and Yoo Youngchan (LG Twins) combined to hold the opposition to just one run over the next four innings, securing the win for Korea.

Bokyung Moon is hitting a grand slam home run in the first inning during the first match of Group C in the World Baseball Classic against the Czech Republic. Tokyo=Yonhap News Agency

With a victory in their first match, Korea will next face tournament favorites Japan over the weekend, followed by Taiwan, who are also likely to compete for second place in the group. Defending champion Japan boasts the strongest roster in Group C, with Major League World Series-winning players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (both Los Angeles Dodgers).

Japan is expected to start left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels) against Korea. Kikuchi played for the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball before signing with the Seattle Mariners in 2019, making his move to the majors. In 2022 and 2023, he was teammates with Ryu Hyunjin (Hanwha Eagles) on the Toronto Blue Jays. His career record in the big leagues stands at 48 wins, 58 losses, one save, and a 4.46 ERA.

Korea faces Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani, in the second match of the WBC group stage. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Immediately after facing Japan, Korea will go up against Taiwan. Korea has won all four previous WBC matchups against Taiwan, but cannot afford to be complacent. Taiwan, the 2024 Premier12 champion, is the youngest team among the WBC participants this year, with an average age of 26.7. Their roster is centered around promising Minor League players from the United States and players from Nippon Professional Baseball. Key athletes include Lin Anke (Seibu Lions), Stuart Fairchild (Tampa Bay Rays), Lin Yumin (Arizona Diamondbacks), Kuo Linluiyang (Nippon-Ham Fighters), and Xu Luoxi (SoftBank Hawks).

However, Taiwan suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat against Australia in their first group match, putting their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals in jeopardy. In the game against Australia, captain Chen Jiexian (Uni-President Lions) injured his finger, and Li Haoyu of the Detroit Tigers was unable to play due to opposition from his club. Additionally, starting pitcher Xu Luoxi (SoftBank Hawks) threw 53 pitches, making it unlikely that he will be able to take the mound against Korea—a major variable going forward.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.