US defines rotation; Skenes goes against Mexico in the World Classic
Manager Mark DeRosa sets US rotation for 2026 World Baseball Classic and Paul Skenes will face Mexico in Game 3
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — The ace of the San Francisco Giants, Logan Webb, will open he first game of the World Baseball Classic 2026 for the American teamwhich is will face Brazil in the group stage on Friday, advertisement he manager Mark DeRosa on Monday afternoon.
The two-time American League Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubalwill release the second game against Great Britainwhile National League Cy Young winner Paul SkenesHE will face Mexico in the third game.
“Yes, everything is ready,” DeRosa said after the US team’s first training session. “Obviously, there are restrictions for the tournament … as far as pitch counts, but there are also restrictions for players who have to pitch on certain days to prepare for their team’s Opening Day.”
The opener of the New York Mets, Nolan McLeanis scheduled for the fourth game against Italybut he currently has a cold. He remains in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where the Mets train. It is not yet known if DeRosa will have to change his plan.
“He’s in Arizona right now and we’ll evaluate him day by day,” DeRosa said.
DeRosa did not reveal his batting order, but indicated that he will be able to play left-handed and right-handed at all positions, with platoon opportunities in center field, where Pete Crow-Armstrong and Byron Buxton will share at-bats.
The U.S. team met for the first time in Arizona on Sunday and held a team dinner before playing exhibition games on Tuesday and Wednesday. The group stage begins Friday in Houston.
New York Yankees and Team USA captain Aaron Judge, who spoke to the team over dinner Sunday night, struggled to find the right words to describe the group of stars who will try to avenge their loss to Japan in the 2023 finals.
“I wouldn’t even call it an all-star team,” Judge said with a smile. “This team is made up of many great players, a lot of greatness, and it is great to see us already wanting to play from day one.”
The combination of the excitement generated by the Olympic Games and current world events makes the players feel even more proud to wear their country’s jersey.
“Several of us probably have family members or acquaintances serving in the military,” Judge said. “And the first thing I thought was that there are people who have sacrificed everything for this country to allow me to have my wife and my daughter safe at home, and to have the opportunity to come here and play a children’s game.”
Skenes and reliever Griffin Jax attended the Air Force Academy. It was one of the first things that came up when DeRosa invited the Cy Young winner to join the team.
“I want to do this for every man and woman who defends our freedom,” DeRosa recalled Skenes saying.
“In the end, that’s all there is to say. Representing your country is something very special.”
The men’s hockey gold medal game was broadcast in the locker room during spring training last month, further raising anticipation for the World Baseball Classic.
“People are super excited,” first baseman Bryce Harper said. “Everyone watched the Olympics and saw what the men’s and women’s teams did in winning gold. I was glued to the TV for those two or three weeks. So I think it’s definitely a step closer to what we’re doing right now.
“Hopefully we can do something similar.”
Skenes will start the United States’ exhibition game against the Giants on Tuesday. He will be followed by left-hander Matthew Boyd of the Chicago Cubs, reliever Gabe Speier of the Seattle Mariners, right-hander David Bednar of the Yankees, and flamethrower Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres. Another group of pitchers will pitch Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies before the team travels to Houston.
DeRosa summarized his impressions of the loaded United States squad.
“It’s a dream, to be honest,” he said.
