Canada is in tough with U.S. and Mexico in Pool C, but could surprise at WBC

Baseball

Published 08.03.2023

Canada is in tough with U.S. and Mexico in Pool C, but could surprise at WBC

PHOENIX — On the fence about enjoying for the United States upfront of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Mike Trout took a cross, noticed the enjoyment on the American workforce because it rolled to a championship, and knew he’d made a mistake.

“I regretted that I didn’t do it,” the three-time American League MVP stated throughout a latest convention name, including later: “I wanted to be part of it.”

Well, with the match again after two years of pandemic postponement, Trout is part of it this time, suiting up for the United States, which begins defence of its title Saturday towards Great Britain in Pool C at Phoenix’s Chase Field.

Trout’s change of coronary heart isn’t any minor matter for an occasion that also faces institutional resistance from executives across the majors, who chafe at handing over their gamers to varied nationwide groups, at the same time as homeowners proceed to present the Classic their blessing.

The Americans, searching for to hitch Japan as two-time champions, would have had a boffo roster that includes defending NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts even with out Trout, nevertheless it’s all of the extra spectacular with him.

Add in that it’s his first likelihood to play in video games of consequence since his solely post-season look again in 2014, and there’s some symbiosis right here — the Classic will get extra credibility, Trout will get an actual likelihood to win one thing that issues.

That will probably be solely a part of the intrigue within the desert, the place the Americans ought to advance simply, whereas Mexico seeks to fend off challenges from Canada and Colombia, plus won-just-by-getting-here Great Britain. Here’s a take a look at the 5 squads:

Watch the World Baseball Classic on Sportsnet

The fourth ever World Baseball Classic begins March 6 with 16 groups within the combine for the championship. Watch the match on Sportsnet NOW.

Broadcast schedule

News, standings, outcomes

.acf-block-preview .br-snippet {
show: grid;
grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
hole: 20px;
width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 16px;
border: 1px stable #CECECE;
background-color: #FFF;
border-radius: 4px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info a {
text-decoration: none;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-title {
colour: #343434;
font-family: ‘roboto’;
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 22px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
prime: -3px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-body {
colour: #343434;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 20px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title {
show: inline-block;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
list-style-type: none;
width: auto;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title:not(:last-child):after ‘;
colour: #343434;

CANADA

Manager: Ernie Whitt

WBC historical past: Canada is making its fifth look on the WBC however continues to be searching for its first journey past the primary spherical. Had a very robust go on the 2017 match, going 0-3 whereas being outscored 21-3.

Projected lineup: C Bo Naylor; 1B Freddie Freeman; 2B Edouard Julien; SS Otto Lopez; 3B Abraham Toro; LF Jacob Robson; CF: Tyler O’Neill; RF: Jared Young; DH Denzel Clarke/Owen Caissie

Projected pitching employees: SP Cal Quantrill; SP Rob Zastryzny; SP Noah Skirrow; SP Mitch Bratt; CL Matt Brash; RP John Axford; RP Scott Mathieson; RP Adam Loewen; RP Phillippe Aumont

Need to know: The outlook for Canada can be a lot totally different with Joey Votto, Josh Naylor, Mike Soroka, Nick Pivetta, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Romano, Zach Pop, and Rowan Wick within the fold, however they nonetheless have sufficient expertise to do some injury and discover their means into the second spherical. They’ll undoubtedly want step-up performances from the pitching employees, a mosaic of one-last-go-veterans and not-yet-there kids across the wonderful Cal Quantrill, to make it occur. Either means, the youth on the roster, led by Bo Naylor, Edouard Julien, Denzel Clarke, Owen Caissie, and Mitch Bratt, bodes effectively for 2026, when the subsequent Classic is anticipated to be held.

var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-409313” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).information(‘permalink’);

/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.web/gampad/advertisements?sz=640×360&cust_params=domainpercent3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326percent2Fen.sportsnet.internetpercent2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=huge&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6321989159112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6321989159112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6321989159112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.consists of(“cust_params”);
var questionString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = nativeStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)

if(gettheDUFI){
questionString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
questionString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)

if(DUFI_IP){
questionString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.exchange(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(questionString) );
}

$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (document.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3E%3C/script%3E”) );

$( doc ).one( “prepared’, operate() {
$( “#video_container-409313” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: true,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6321989159112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
part: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/6321989159112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wbc/video/could-be-canadas-best-wbc-team-and-can-dominican-republic-still-win-without-vladdy/”
});
});

var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-261376” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).information(‘permalink’);

if(gettheDUFI){
questionString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
questionString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)

if(DUFI_IP){
questionString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.exchange(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(questionString) );
}

$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (document.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3E%3C/script%3E”) );

$( doc ).one( “prepared’, operate() {
$( “#video_container-261376” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: false,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6321989159112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
part: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/6321989159112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wbc/video/could-be-canadas-best-wbc-team-and-can-dominican-republic-still-win-without-vladdy/”
});
});

.acf-block-preview .br-video-thumbnail::earlier than {
content material: “”;
place: absolute;
prime: 45%;
left: 50%;
remodel: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-moz-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-ms-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-o-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-webkit-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
width: 20px;
top: 0px;
border-top: 14px stable clear;
border-left: 22px stable #fff;
border-bottom: 14px stable clear;
margin-left: 3px;
}

COLOMBIA

Manager: Jolbert Cabrera

WBC historical past: Colombia returns to the World Baseball Classic after a powerful debut in 2017, once they beat Canada, misplaced 3-2 in 10 innings to the Americans, and almost upset the Dominican Republic, having the potential successful run thrown out on the plate earlier than falling 10-3 in 11 innings.

Notable Players: Gio Urshela, who performed 19 video games with the Blue Jays in 2018 earlier than his Yankees escape a yr later, and Harold Ramirez, who helped double-A New Hampshire win an Eastern League title in 2012, entrance a lineup additionally anticipated to incorporate Athletics prospect Jordan Diaz.

Notable Pitchers: Veteran starters Jose Quintana and Julio Teheran together with Nabil Crismatt and Reiver Sanmartin assist anchor a stable pitching employees.

Need to know: No one must be caught abruptly by the Colombians this time after they almost performed giant-killer six years in the past. They have seven 40-man roster gamers on the workforce, led by Jose Quintana, Harold Ramirez, Gio Urshela, and Oscar Mercado, together with sufficient supporting expertise, veterans Julio Teheran, Jorge Alfaro and free agent Donovan Solano amongst them, to be a risk. Like the Canadians, they’ll should be opportunistic with their pitching, looking for the fitting spots to make use of their greatest arms.

GREAT BRITAIN

Manager: Drew Spencer

WBC historical past: The Brits are making their match debut after beating Spain 10-9 to win the Regensburg qualifier final September.

Notable Players: Trayce Thompson of the Dodgers is the one lively big-leaguer among the many place gamers. Fellow outfielder Darnell Sweeney appeared in two video games for the Blue Jays in 2018 whereas speedy farmhand Chavez Young was traded to the Pirates this winter for depth arm Zach Thompson. Mariners catching prospect Harry Ford crushed within the qualifiers and was ranked No. 64 in Baseball America’s most up-to-date Top 100.

Notable Pitchers: Ian Gibaut of the Reds is the one lively big-leaguer on the pitching employees, though Vance Worley (667 profession innings) and Michael Roth (36 innings) even have expertise within the majors. Graham Spraker is a former Blue Jays draft choose signed by the Rays to a minor-league deal final month.

Need to know: The British market is an fascinating one for Major League Baseball, which is searching for to determine an actual foothold in Europe in an effort to broaden the sport’s attain and broaden its income streams. The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs play in London this summer season (the Toronto Blue Jays are up for a collection there, too, maybe as quickly as subsequent yr) and an look within the WBC, even when solely a happy-to-be-here keep, ought to assist additional construct curiosity.

MEXICO

Manager: Benji Gil

WBC historical past: Mexico superior to the second spherical within the first two editions of the match earlier than bowing out within the first spherical at 1-2 in each 2013 and 2017.

Projected lineup: C Austin Barnes; 1B Joey Menese; 2B Jonathan Aranda; SS Luis Urias; 3B Isaac Paredes; LF Randy Arozarena; CF Alek Thomas/Jarren Durran; RF Alex Verdugo; DH Rowdy Tellez

Projected pitching employees: SP Julio Urias; SP Jose Urquidy; SP Taijuan Walker; SP Patrick Sandoval; SP Javier Assad; SP Adrian Martinez; CL Giovany Gallegos; RP Luis Cessa; RP JoJo Romero; RP Jesus Cruz

Need to know: While the Americans are the apparent favourites to win Pool C, the all the time aggressive Mexicans look to be the likeliest to hitch them in advancing out of the group. Randy Arozarena, Jonathan Aranda, Rowdy Tellez, and Alex Verdugo are the center of a difficult-to-navigate lineup, whereas starters Julio Urias, Jose Urquidy, Taijuan Walker, and Patrick Sandoval ought to give the offence an opportunity to do its factor. That mixture may make Mexico, normally a tricky out on the Classic, significantly troublesome if it reaches the quarters, as they’re anticipated to have Urias lined up for the elimination spherical.

UNITED STATES

Manager: Mark DeRosa

WBC historical past: The world’s dominant energy in baseball moved previous second-round exits in each 2006 and 2013, plus a semifinal loss in 2009, by lastly successful all of it in 2017.

Projected lineup: C J.T. Realmuto/Will Smith; 1B Paul Goldschmidt/Pete Alonso; 2B Jeff McNeil; SS Trea Turner/Tim Anderson; 3B Nolan Arenado/Bobby Witt Jr.; LF Kyle Tucker; CF: Mike Trout/Cedric Mullins; RF: Mookie Betts; DH Kyle Schwarber

Projected pitching employees: SP Lance Lynn; SP Merrill Kelly; SP Miles Mikolas; SP Adam Wainwright; SP Brady Singer; CL Ryan Pressly; RP David Bednar; RP Devin Williams; RP Jason Adam; RP Kendall Graveman

Need to know: Just take a look at this roster, it’s silly loaded and DeRosa doesn’t have a foul possibility. It’s higher and deeper than the group that received all of it final trip — Tanner Roark began towards Japan within the semis, for crying out loud — and the entire why-can’t-the-U.S.-win-the-Classic factor is out the window. At the identical time, the Americans know they’re anticipated to win and baseball can get bizarre in small samples, and the match’s spring build-up timing solely amplifies that. Exhibit A is the way in which Adam Loewen, a extremely touted prospect but to the touch double-A, shut down a superstar-laden group in Canada’s upset 8-6 win throughout the inaugural Classic. Hence, take nothing with no consideration, even American exceptionalism.