Overview
- The World Baseball Classic runs March 5–17 across Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami, with U.S. coverage on FOX platforms and Netflix carrying games in Japan.
- Team USA opens Friday against Brazil in Houston in Pool B before facing Great Britain, Mexico and Italy, with the top two advancing to single-elimination quarterfinals.
- Manager Mark DeRosa set Logan Webb for the opener, Tarik Skubal for Game 2 vs. Great Britain, Paul Skenes for Game 3 vs. Mexico and Nolan McLean for Game 4 vs. Italy, though McLean is day-to-day with an illness.
- Skubal confirmed he will make only one start during pool play, Skenes is lined up for multiple outings, and exhibitions begin with Skenes starting Tuesday against the Giants.
- Japan’s title defense features Shohei Ohtani as a hitter only, with the defending champions opening group play at Tokyo Dome.