Trending Now - Team USA Gears up for 2026 World Baseball Classic With Star Power
WHO:
Team USA manager: Mark DeRosa
Team USA captain: Aaron Judge
Pitchers for Team USA: Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Nolan McLean
Players mentioned: Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout (not on the roster), José Caballero, Enrique Bradfield Jr., Gio Urshela, Jose Quintana, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Holliday (Team USA hitting coach), Ethan Holliday (Rockies prospect)
Team Italy manager: Francisco Cervelli
Team Colombia manager: José Mosquera
Team Panama manager: Jose Mayorga
Team Israel manager: Brad Ausmus
WHAT:
Team USA is preparing for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Team USA's first game is against Brazil on March 8, 2026, at Daikin Park in Houston.
Team USA's starting rotation includes:
Logan Webb vs. Brazil
Tarik Skubal vs. Great Britain
Paul Skenes vs. Mexico on March 9, 2026
Nolan McLean vs. Italy on March 10, 2026
Team USA scored 29 runs in two exhibition games.
Team Colombia finished last in Pool C in the 2023 WBC and qualified for the 2026 WBC with a 3-0 record in qualifiers.
Team Panama will open against Cuba on March 10, 2026.
Team Italy has a mix of Major Leaguers and prospects, including Vinnie Pasquantino.
Team Israel includes top prospects RJ Schreck, Cole Carrigg, and Charlie Beilenson.
Clayton Kershaw pitched in an exhibition game for Team USA, allowing one run in two-thirds of an inning.
WHERE:
Team USA's first game location: Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
Team USA's training location: Papago Park Sports Complex, Phoenix, Arizona
Team Colombia's qualifiers took place in Arizona.
Team Panama's games will be at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Team Italy's exhibition game location: Sloan Park, Mesa, Arizona
Team Israel's exhibition game location: Clover Park, Port St. Lucie, Florida
WHEN:
March 8, 2026: Team USA vs. Brazil
March 9, 2026: Team USA vs. Mexico
March 10, 2026: Team USA vs. Italy
March 11, 2026: Team USA's final pool play game
March 3, 2026: Team USA's exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants
March 3, 2026: Team Italy's exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs
March 3, 2026: Team Colombia's first game against Puerto Rico at 6 p.m. ET
March 10, 2026: Team Panama's first game against Cuba
WHY:
Team USA aims to avenge their 2023 loss to Japan in the WBC finals.
The tournament serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Team Colombia seeks to improve upon their previous performance in the WBC.
HOW:
Team USA's roster includes a mix of established stars and young talent.
Players are participating in exhibition games to prepare for the tournament.
Teams are utilizing a mix of experienced players and emerging prospects to build competitive rosters.
Team USA is gearing up for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with their first game set against Brazil on March 8 at Daikin Park in Houston. Managed by Mark DeRosa and led by captain Aaron Judge, the team features a strong pitching rotation that includes Logan Webb, who will start against Brazil, followed by Tarik Skubal against Great Britain, Paul Skenes against Mexico, and Nolan McLean facing Italy. In their recent exhibition games, Team USA scored an impressive 29 runs, while Clayton Kershaw made an appearance, allowing just one run in two-thirds of an inning. Meanwhile, Team Colombia, which finished last in Pool C during the 2023 WBC, qualified for this year's tournament with a perfect 3-0 record in qualifiers. As the tournament approaches, Team USA aims to avenge their loss to Japan in the last finals, showcasing a blend of seasoned stars and promising young talent.