Finally , we are just hours away from seeing the U.S team defend its 2017 World Baseball Classic title. While Pools A ( Taichung ) and Pool B ( Tokyo ) have already played close to a dozen games each the Pool C ( Phenix ) and D ( Miami ) have yet to take the field for any meaningful games and the standings as of this morning are 0-0 for everyone. But that all changes tonight.
Team U.S.A manager Mark DeRosa leads one of the most talented lineups in WBC short history. honestly it looks like a true All-Star cast set to take the field tonight when the U.S takes on Great Britain
Trea Turner, SS
Mookie Betts, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Kyle Tucker, LF
J.T. Realmuto, C
Jeff McNeil, 2B
Talk about a murders row of talent. Now add in a bench that consists of Pete Alonso, Cedric Mullins, Will Smith, Tim Anderson, and Bobby Witt Jr. Got Damn this is going to be fun. i almost pity opposing pitchers. Almost.
The U.S pitching rotation to say the least is not as apposing as the lineup. Lance Lynn of the White Sox, Miles Mikolas and Adam Wainwright (gets tonight's start) of the Cardinals, Nick Martinez of the Padres, Brady Singer of the Royals, Kyle Freeland of the Rockies and Merrill Kelly of the Diamondbacks are DeRosa's rotation options. Not too shabby but not exactly the 1998 Atlanta Braves. But like in the MLB postseason i'm sure DeRosa will use his bullpen to full advantage. Led by Adam Ottavino of the Mets, Ryan Pressly of the Astros, Jason Adam of the Rays, Devin Williams of the Brewers, David Bednar of the Pirates, Brooks Raley of the Rays, and Kendall Graveman of the White Sox.
We have all been (we as in baseball junkies) bleeding for meaningful baseball. Spring training games have been our collective nicotine patches to this point. but tonight we all get to rip them off and enjoy the real stuff. Sure we have watched and rooted for our favorite players representing their home countries. but If I know you as well as I think I do. this is the game you have been waiting for. And we will all be rested and ready for the first pitch at 9 PM on Fox. Cheers to a victory over the Brits.
As always you can follow/give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207