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jesse rogers
multiple authors
Scottsdale, Arizona — san francisco giants ace logan webb Manager Mark DeRosa said Monday that the first game of the World Baseball Classic for Team USA begins Friday in pool play against Brazil.
Two-time American League Cy Young winner tariq skubal Will feature Game 2 against Britain. National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes Set to face Mexico in Game 3.
“Yeah, it’s established,” DeRosa said after Team USA’s first workout. “Obviously there are guardrails for the tournament … in terms of pitch count, but there are also guardrails for guys who have to throw balls on certain days to be ready for their team’s Opening Day.”
New York Mets starter nolan mclean Scheduled for Game 4 against Italy but is currently battling a cold. He is still in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where the Mets train. It is not yet known whether DeRosa will have to make changes to his plan.
“He’s out there right now, and we’ll reevaluate him day by day,” DeRosa said.
DeRosa did not reveal his batting order, but indicated that he would be able to move down to lefty/righty, with opportunities to platoon in center field. Pete Crowe-Armstrong And Byron Buxton Will share time.
Team USA gathered in Arizona for the first time on Sunday, hosting a team dinner before playing exhibition games on Tuesday and Wednesday. Pool play begins Friday in Houston.
New York Yankees and captain of Team USA aaron judge – who spoke to the team at dinner on Sunday night – had trouble finding the right words to describe the stars who will attempt to avenge their defeat to Japan in the 2023 final.
“I wouldn’t even call it an All-Star team,” Judge said with a smile. “There are a lot of great players on this team, a lot of greatness in the room, and it’s good to see us jump like that on day one.”
The excitement surrounding the Olympics, coupled with the players’ gratitude towards military members, is making players feel even more proud to wear their country’s jersey.
“Many of us probably have people who serve in the military or people we know who serve in the military,” Judge said. “And that was the first thing I thought about, there are people out there who have sacrificed everything for this country so that I can keep my wife safe at home and my daughter safe at home, and I can have a chance to come out here and play a kids’ game.”
Skenes and relievers griffin jax Went to Air Force Academy. This was one of the first things that came up when DeRosa invited Skenes to join the team.
“‘I want to do this for every soldier [servicewoman] It protects our freedom,’” DeRosa recalled Skenes saying.
“At the end of the day, that’s all that needs to be said. There’s something very special about representing your country.”
The men’s hockey gold medal game aired in clubhouses at spring training last month, adding even more excitement to the WBC.
“People are super excited,” the first baseman. bryce harper Said. “Everyone watched the Olympics and saw what the men’s and women’s teams did by winning gold medals. I was glued to the TV for those two, three weeks. So, I think it’s definitely an important step in what we’re doing now.
“Hopefully, we can do something similar.”
The Skans will open Team USA’s exhibition game against the Giants on Tuesday. he will be followed chicago cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, seattle mariners preventive gab spearyankees ok David Bednar And San Diego Padres flamethrower mason miller. Another set of pitchers will throw on Wednesday against colorado rockies Before the team left for Houston.
DeRosa summarized his feelings on the stacked US roster.
“Honestly, it’s a field of dreams,” he said.
