World Classic 2026: What the numbers say about the Skenes vs. duel. Severino

The two players have had the opportunity to pitch against several members of the Dominican Republic and United States teams, with very different results.

USA and Dominican Republic they meet again in the World Baseball Classic for the fourth time in history, in what is expected to be one of the most exciting matches of the current tournament, taking into account the rosters of each squad, their performance and, of course, the fact that a pass to the championship game will be the prize for the winner.

With everything at stake for both teams, they have decided to send two of their best men to the mound as starters: Paul Skenescurrent winner of the Cy Young of the National League by the Americans, and Luis Severinolauncher of the Athleticsby the Dominicans. Both have had experience throwing against members of the opposing squads, with different results, although these are conditioned by the size of the samples.

In the case of Skeneswho is heading into his third season in MLBagainst the possible alignment of Dominican Republic He has faced 35 plate appearances in which he has only had four hits. He has struck out 10 batters and given up two walks, allowing just two runs.

Julio Rodríguez has been the most successful batsman against Skeneshitting three hits in six plate appearances, two of them extra-base hits. From there, Skenes has not allowed a hit to Juan Soto (0-3, 1 transfer, 2 strikeouts), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (0-2, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout), Junior Caminero (0-3), Austin Wells (0-1), Ketel Marte (0-5, 1 RBI) or Geraldo Perdomo (0-7, 1 transfer and 2 strikeouts). Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have never faced the pitcher.

For their part, the batters of USA have accumulated 111 plate appearances against Luis Severinowith seven home runs and 25 RBIs. However, the Dominican has also managed to strike out 22 batters and has only walked eight.

Regarding individual performances, the following stand out: Aaron Judge (3-5, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 2 strikeouts, 1 transfer), Bryce Harper (2-5, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 1 strikeout, 1 transfer), Kyle Schwarber (3-9, 3 strikeouts), Brice Turang (3-8, 2 strikeouts), Alex Bregman (5-21, 3 RBIs, 3 strikeouts), Pete Crow-Armstrong (1-8, 3 strikeouts), Bobby Witt Jr. (2-10, 1 strikeout), Cal Raleigh (3-9, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 2 strikeouts, 3 transfers) and Byron Buxton (3-8, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 2 strikeouts). Roman Anthony has never faced Severino.

With all this in mind, both pitchers will be under a lot of pressure from their first pitch during the semifinals, taking into account the quality of the lineups and the order in which they are placed in them. Previous success against either of them doesn’t necessarily mean much in a short tournament with characteristics other than a 162-game season, nor does not having been successful against them so far.