There are three tiers of teams in Pool B of the World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park in Houston. Tier 1 is the U.S. and its All-Star-laden roster, Tier 2 is the hopefuls of Mexico and Italy and Tier 3 is the relative startups in Great Britain and Brazil.
The U.S. is the hands-down favorite here, so the other four teams are really battling for the other spot in the quarterfinals from this group. Still, it should be a fun group to watch.
Will the U.S. be able to make it to the March 17 championship game in Miami?
Here is a quick look at the teams in Pool B:
Brazil
WBC appearance: Second.
Best finish: Went 0-3 in pool play in 2013.
What to expect: Back for the first time since its debut in 2013, Brazil at least has some interesting family ties on its roster. Outfielder Dante Bichette Jr., whose dad is known for his time with the Colorado Rockies, outfielder Lucas Ramirez, the son of former Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez, and right-hander Joseph Contreras, the son of former New York Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras, highlight the roster. The sport is still gaining a foothold in Brazil, and this appearance will certainly help that, but don’t expect much from this team.
Great Britain
WBC appearance: Second.
Best finish: Went 1-3 in pool play in 2023.
What to expect: There is a little bit of experience and talent on this roster that could produce one or two wins. New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the main attraction, with Washington Nationals catcher Harry Ford and brothers Tristan Beck, a San Francisco Giants right-hander, and Brendan Beck, a right-hander in the Yankees’ system. Free-agent infielder Lucius Fox, free-agent outfielder Trayce Thompson, and former MLB right-hander Vance Worley are also suiting up for the Brits.
Italy
WBC appearance: Sixth.
Best finish: Lost to Japan 9-3 in the 2023 quarterfinals.
What to expect: Following its run to the quarterfinals last time out, the Italians have beefed up, particularly the pitching staff. Right-hander Aaron Nola, formerly the ace of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Angels left-hander Sam Aldegheri join a staff that also includes Colorado Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen, Boston Red Sox right-hander Greg Weissert, San Diego Padres right-handers Ron Marinaccio and Alek Jacob, Minnesota Twins right-hander Dan Altavilla, St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Gordon Graceffo, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Kyle Nicolas and free-agent right-hander Adam Ottavino. The Italians had a setback with the shoulder injury to Minnesota Twins right-hander David Festa. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is back and bringing Kansas City Royals teammate Jac Caglianone with him to lead the offense. Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel and free-agent infielder Jon Berti are also on the roster.
Mexico
WBC appearance: Sixth.
Best finish: Lost to Japan 6-5 in the 2023 semifinals.
What to expect: Coming off a run to the semifinals in 2023, Mexico’s profile has been steadily climbing on the international stage. Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena is back, joined by Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, free-agent first baseman Rowdy Tellez, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz, Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales and free-agent infielder Luis Urías on offense, while Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker, Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad, and Mariners right-hander Andrés Muñoz will anchor the pitching staff. Mexico’s two toughest games come in the final two of the four group games, facing the U.S. on March 9 and Italy on March 11. There could be a bit of an edge playing in Houston for Mexico in all but the U.S. game.
United States
WBC appearance: Sixth.
Best finish: Won 2017 championship, beating Puerto Rico 8-0.
What to expect: It is championship or bust for the U.S. Thanks to some star pitchers finally showing up, this is the best roster the U.S. has sent to the WBC. The only real question is: Will it be enough to beat Japan if it comes down to that? Japan beat the U.S. 3-2 in the 2023 championship game. With both Cy Young Award winners, Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, along with San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb and Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd as starters and a nasty bullpen with Padres right-hander Mason Miller, New York Yankees right-hander David Bednar, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax, Seattle Mariners left-hander Gabe Speier and Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock, the U.S. is loaded from a run-prevention standpoint.
Offensively, the U.S. is similarly stacked. It starts with Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, the U.S. captain, and includes Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, and Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. With Skubal only pitching one of the pool-play games, it will be up to the secondary starters (New York Mets right-handers Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean, and Royals right-hander Michael Wacha, among them) to pitch some critical innings in the knockout rounds.
