A World Baseball Classic finals rematch would have Dodgers fans conflicted more than expected

With Mike Trout not participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with Team USA, there won't be a sequel to the matchup that was at the center of the final during the 2023 tournament when Shohei Ohtani struck out Trout to secure the victory for Japan.

That doesn't mean there won't be conflict for Los Angeles Dodgers fans if Japan and USA renew their rivalry in the championship game once again.

Ohtani isn't pitching for Japan this time around and will be exclusively used as their designated hitter. The odds are against there being a matchup between former Los Angeles Dodgers icon Clayton Kershaw and Ohtani in a potential championship game, but it's a reminder of the conflict of interest Dodgers fans may have with the World Baseball Classic getting started this week.

Dodgers fans are facing a rare conflict of interest between Clayton Kershaw and Shohei Ohtani during the World Baseball Classic

On one hand, there is Kershaw. No, Kershaw isn't using his inclusion on Team USA's roster this year as a way to reverse course with his retirement. He has no interest in returning to the Dodgers, and pitching for Team USA is one of the final bucket items he needs to cross off before hanging up his cleats for good.

While not as special as Kershaw ending his Dodgers' career with the team's second World Series victory in as many years, it undoubtedly would be cool to see him earn a championship with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic as his final bow.

Then, there is Ohtani. With each season, it seems that Ohtani unlocks another layer of not only his legacy, but the Dodgers' legacy. His strikeout of Mike Trout in 2023 was proof of that, and he's already at it during this year's World Baseball Classic.

In Japan's 13-0 victory over Chinese Taipei on Friday morning, while leading off, Ohtani casually collected three hits while hitting a grand slam. He was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

That is why the World Baseball Classic is such a fascinating event. It forces fans to pick a side. In this case, it's Kershaw riding off into the sunset with Team USA against Ohtani's growing legacy.

Fortunately, for Dodgers fans, right now, they don't have to pick a side. There are still two weeks of play before we get to the point where there could be a rematch between Japan and the USA. If we get to that point, dare we say the rooting interest should go in Kershaw's direction? After all, Ohtani is still going to grow his legacy, regardless of the outcome of the World Baseball Classic.