South Korea favorite in Taiwan WBC tournament

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - With a lineup boasting power hitter Lee Seung-yeop, South Korea is seen as the Group B favorite in the opening round of the World Baseball Classic.

Host Taiwan is expected to compete with the Andruw Jones and the Netherlands for the second spot in the four-team group, which starts play Saturday (Friday night EST) at Taichung, while Australia appears to have little chance of advancing in the 16-team tournament. The top two nations move on to the second round in Tokyo.

While South Korea is without any major leaguers, Lee Dae-ho could provide power along with Lee Dae-ho, who plays for Orix in Japan's Pacific League.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin and Cincinnati outfielder Choo Shin-soo are skipping the tournament to stay at spring training with their new clubs.