Logan Webb gets the nod from skipper Mark DeRosa for Team USA’s World Baseball Classic opener against Brazil. This ain’t your grandma’s rec league softball game. It’s big-league. Hardware’s on the line.
Webb’s been a workhorse for San Francisco. He’ll need that bulldog mentality in Phoenix. The WBC is no walk in the park – it’s a pressure cooker. Reputations are made or broken here.
DeRosa ain’t messing around with his rotation. Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal toes the rubber against Great Britain. NL Cy Young award winner Paul Skenes faces Mexico. That’s bringing a bazooka to a knife fight.
But it ain’t all sunshine and roses for Team USA. Mets right-hander Nolan McLean, penciled in to start against Italy, is under the weather. He missed practice Monday. The U.S. squad needs him at full strength for a deep run.
Team USA has exhibition tune-ups before the real deal starts. They’ll square off with Arizona on Tuesday and Wednesday. Skenes gets the start against his former club. Matthew Boyd, Gabe Speier, David Bednar, Griffin Jax, and Mason Miller also see action.
Skubal makes one appearance for Team USA before heading back to Detroit for spring training. He needs to make it count against Great Britain.
This World Baseball Classic is shaping up to be a dandy. The U.S. roster is loaded with talent from top to bottom. They’re hungry to bring home that championship trophy. It won’t be easy, but this group of All-Stars can get the job done.
Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Get ready for hard-nosed baseball action. These boys are ready to play ball the way it was meant to be played – with grit, determination, and a whole lot of heart.