WBC Game Thread: USA, Puerto Rico Start Play
The World Baseball Classic officially started late Tuesday night in America Pool A and B play. This has taken place in Japan and Taiwan with teams like Japan, Italy, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Cuba, and more trying to advance to the knockout stage.
Now, it’s time for Pool C and D to start.
These pools are highlighted by the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and more, with many Mets joining WBC play today. Games take place in Arizona and Florida. Starting at noon, there are seven games that start play on Saturday. Here are some of the highlights:
Nicaragua vs. Puerto Rico, 12:00 PM EST
Team Puerto Rico, led by Francisco Lindor in the leadoff spot, plays Nicaragua at noon Saturday.
Marcus Stroman takes the bump for PR in Game 1 after playing for Team USA–and winning MVP–in 2017. Edwin Díaz will man the back of the bullpen for the squad, and he said he won’t pitch on back-to-back days. Other MLB talent in this game includes: Javier Báez, Kiké Hernandez, Erasmo Ramirez, Eddie Rosario, JC Ramirez and… Johneshwy Fargas!
The game is broadcast on Fox Sports 2.
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela, 7:00 PM EST
Team Dominican Republic–arguably the most stacked team in the WBC–plays against Eduardo Escobar and Team Venezuela.
Sandy Alcantara, the reigning NL Cy Young, will pitch for the DR, and Martin Perez is a formidable No. 1 for Venezuela. DR’s lineup is stacked with MLB stars like Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Rafael Devers, Teoscar Hernandez, Willy Adames, Wander Franco, Julio Rodriguez, Ketel Marte, and much more. Team Venezuela is a strong competitor with players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Andres Gimenez, Jose Altuve, Miguel Cabrera, Omar Narváez, and Luis Arraez manning the lineup.
This game is probably the best head-to-head matchup today. It’s broadcast on Fox Sports 1.
Great Britain vs. USA, 9:00 PM EST
Team USA and its insane lineup–where Pete Alonso is a backup and Jeff McNeil bats at the back end–plays Great Britain at 9 p.m. Saturday. (All of their pool games start at 9 or 10 p.m.)
Adam Wainwright will start for Team USA, and the hope is a lineup that has Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, J.T. Realmuto, and Trea Turner will put him up early against a weak Great Britain team. On the Mets end, Adam Ottavino appears in the bullpen. Brooks Raley was scheduled to be part of the bullpen, but he left an exhibition game Friday night with an injury. It was called a “precautionary” removal. Former Met Adam Loup replaced him.
This game is broadcast on FOX.
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