2026 World Baseball Classic Preview

Anthony, Whitlock, Judge, Skenes, and US try to upset Japan, fend off Dominican Republic

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) this year seeks to capture the inspiration that causes the viewer and attendee to rally around the United States during competition. The United States roster is dubbed as one of the most talented ever constructed for this event. Stars such as Aaron Judge (who is being dubbed ‘Captain America’ by supporters), Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh, Bryce Harper, and Alex Bregman are on the roster. Garrett Whitlock and Roman Anthony are the two Boston Red Sox players on the roster. The Red Sox have 15 players participating in the WBC in total. This tournament has become so popular that Clayton Kershaw of the US came out of retirement just to end his career in this event.

Despite the loaded roster, the United States path to victory is not without its challenges. They will have to contend with the presumed favorites of Shohei Ohtani and Japan who has their own firepower being add to the tournament. The Dominican Republic also boasts considerable talent such as Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and is looking to be contention for a title as well.

Fortunately, the US has a favorable schedule in the first two games of Pool B in Houston, TX. They play against Brazil (Manny Ramirez of the 2004 Red Sox, his own son, Lucas, is on this team) on Friday and the United Kingdom on Saturday. Both are considered as underdogs in the tournament (the UK excels at a different kind of sport involving a bat and ball: cricket).

I will return to recap the Brazil and UK games on Sunday and look ahead to the next challenge in the US’s way.

Hot dogs, anyone?