Becky Sullivan

The Los Angeles Dodgers have already won the last two World Series running.

Then, in the offseason, they added the best outfielder and the best closing pitcher on the free agent market.

And Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, who join a roster packed with all-stars, including the two-way superstar Shohei Otani.

All of which could help the Dodgers become the first team to win three straight World Series since the Yankees in the year 2000.

It also fans the flames of debate over whether baseball should adopt a salary cap.

The players' union contract is up at the end of this season.

That's expected to be the biggest issue.

New this year is the Automated Ball Strike System, or ABS, which will allow players to challenge an umpire's call of ball or strike.

Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

The U.S.

worked five runs out of eight hits in Friday's quarterfinal matchup against Canada.

The Americans are heavyweights in the once-every-few-years tournament.

This year, they've got some of the best players in baseball on the roster, like Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., and Paul Skeens, who's expected to pitch Sunday's semifinal against the Dominican Republic.

But the DR might be the favorite of the whole tournament, with MLB all-stars like Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, and Fernando Tatis Jr.

On the other side of the bracket are Samurai Japan and the superstar Shohei Otani, who, on the mound, clinched the 2023 title for Japan.

In the late game, Japan faces Venezuela, who aren't pushovers.

Earlier, Puerto Rico will take on the fan-favorite underdog, Italy.

Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

The U.S.

worked five runs out of eight hits in Friday's quarterfinal matchup against Canada.