Canada opens Classic vs. Great Britain (3 p.m., FS1)
PHOENIX – The nature of a five-team pool signifies that one membership will get the break day over every of the 5 days of motion at Chase Field. Day 1 off-day duties fell to Canada, who entered Sunday’s contest vs. Great Britain with its pitching lined up and its bats raring to go, hungry to depart a three-run efficiency within the 2017 Classic up to now.
Conversely, components comparable to taking part in a day sport after an evening sport will likely be actuality for the Brits. But whenever you take the path to Arizona that the isle has – getting on the diamond in a serious worldwide baseball event for the time since 2009 – it’s all desserts.
“I think in tournaments like this, [having played already] can be an advantage,” Britain supervisor Drew Spencer mentioned. “All of our guys have shaken the cobwebs off and they played at game speed and they’ve played a full nine with full intensity, which isn’t something that you see in spring. So you got to count that a little bit in our [favor].”
When and the place: 3 p.m. ET on Sunday at Chase Field in Phoenix.
How you’ll be able to watch: The contest between Great Britain and Canada is dwell on FS1. Games can be found on FOX, FS1, FS2, Tubi or FOX Deportes, and each sport will be streamed on-line within the FOX Sports App. For worldwide viewing choices, click on right here.
How you’ll be able to hear: Live audio protection of all video games will likely be carried on Sirius XM, TuneIn, MLB.com and within the MLB App.
What’s at stake: Canada will likely be seeking to proper the wrongs of an 0-3 displaying within the 2017 Classic. They’re returning to the positioning of arguably the largest upset in program historical past from after they defeated the U.S. throughout pool play in 2006. Britain made its mark by giving a loaded U.S. squad a battle of their opener Saturday. They face an uphill battle to make it out of the group stage, however a win Sunday would go a good distance towards conducting that.
Matchup historical past: This showdown will likely be a first-time affair. Baseball’s reputation in Britain has steadily been on the rise over the previous 20 years, however the look on the 2023 Classic marks its first international event of this magnitude for the reason that 2009 World Cup.
Trayce Thompson, OF, Great Britain: He made historical past from the get-go, swatting the primary British Classic house run towards the U.S. on Saturday. Upon returning to the dugout, his teammates adorned him with a crown and gown befitting the glory. He added a double later within the contest, making him the lone British hitter to notch a multihit efficiency.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, Canada: After a sputtering offense despatched Canada house after simply three video games in 2017, its bats will likely be integral to advancing past the group stage. Since that event, Freeman has change into a four-time All-Star and gained the 2020 National League MVP. The Dodgers’ star enters Classic play with the motivation of taking part in for his dad and mom, each of whom have been born in Canada.
