Team USA lauds growing chemistry in WBC exhibition vs. Giants

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Unlike most spring games, no one took off their uniforms or left the dugout. Team USA players held on until the end of their 15-1 exhibition win san francisco giants On Tuesday they are preparing to play pool in the World Baseball Classic.

This is the kind of environmental manager Mark DeRosa set out to create.

“I turned [Aaron] judge And all the coaches say, ‘This is a different experience than 2023,'” DeRosa said afterward. ‘this just happened. Not a single man was left.”

It was a good start for Team USA, who had 19 hits, including a home run. Alex Bregman And roman anthony. Although only together as a team for the past few days, the bond inside the clubhouse already feels strong. The common goal of winning it all is to help foster that environment after the US finished second behind Japan in the WBC in 2023.

“I feel like there’s a certain excitement that you can feel when you walk into the clubhouse,” Bregman said. “The level of focus is at an all-time high.”

starter Paul Skenes Tossed three efficient innings on Tuesday, giving up one run with four strikeouts. If Team USA advances, he will pitch in pool play and then in the semifinals. legendary pitcher logan webb Mets starter to be introduced in Friday’s first game and then in the quarterfinals nolan mclean Pool play and finals were scheduled.

It doesn’t matter who takes the mound if a dangerous American lineup strikes like it did Tuesday. Skenes had to be reminded how many runs his teammates scored.

“How many were there?” he asked. “Fifteen? Yeah, that’s good. Let’s keep it going. … It’s a spring training game, but it’s still unreal. So it’s going to be exciting when we get to Houston and it’s the real deal.”

Skenes was asked whether he noticed that his teammates were still unwell at the end of the game.

“Everybody was wearing it,” Skenes said of Team USA’s jerseys. “It was cool to see. Guys who aren’t pitching normally throw on their pullovers but everybody was wearing their jerseys.”

DeRosa said: “We wanted to create an environment where these guys don’t want to go. …You’re looking down and you’re seeing Bregman talking to Anthony, you’re seeing [Tarik] Scooble And the skeins are on top stage. and judge and [Cal] RALEIGH. It’s great.”

Although Team USA gathered for the first time Monday, the bond DeRosa is discovering has been building for months. Group text between players, watching the recently concluded Winter Olympics and having two former soldiers (Skeans and griffin jax) Everyone on the roster lived up to this patriotic moment. DeRosa added another layer to it when he invited 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps to speak to the team at dinner on Monday.

Phelps’ message was simple. “Another location isn’t going to make up for it,” DeRosa recalled.

Team USA will play its second and final exhibition game on Wednesday colorado rockies Before leaving for Houston and the WBC’s opening match against Brazil.

“Everyone is motivated,” Bregman said. “Showing up, ready to compete.”