Padres star on playing Team Japan in WBC: ‘They’re nasty, but we’re going to beat them.’

The buzz has begun for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, which is scheduled to start March 5 and end March 17 in Miami.

The tournament features stacked rosters and international bragging rights. One MLB superstar believes his country, the Dominican Republic, is going to win it all, and he has some words for reigning champion Team Japan.

Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. will make his debut in the WBC when he steps on the diamond alongside his father, Fernando Tatis Sr., in a couple weeks.

Tatis Sr. serves as the team’s hitting coach under manager Albert Pujols. During his first conversation with reporters Tuesday, Tatis Jr. spoke about his dream of playing for his country in the WBC — where he joins Juan Soto, Manny Machado and a constellation of other Caribbean stars in a bid for global glory.

“It’s definitely what you dream about as a kid. I’ve always wanted to do it. This came at the right time. I’m really happy it’s going to happen. It’s going to be a beautiful experience.”

When asked about facing Japan’s powerhouse team — laced with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and his Padres teammate Yuki Matsui — he didn’t flinch:

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“They’re nasty, but we’re going to beat them.”

If confidence were a currency, the Dominican Republic might just be the richest team in the Classic. With history beckoning and legacy on the line, Tatis Jr. isn’t just playing for a flag — he’s playing to immortalize a father-son chapter in baseball lore. It’s Dominican baseball with a pulse, a heritage-heavy heartbeat that could very well carry them all the way to glory.

‘There’s a lot of great competition, but I’m looking forward to facing that competition and coming out on top.”