The United States national team is continuing to prepare for the 2026 World Baseball Classic and to that end, they are planning great surprises, where one of the protagonists is none other than Paul Skenes.
The team’s manager, Mark DeRosa, has revealed his pitching strategy for the group stage, where the most relevant decision was to reserve his most dominant pitcher, Paul Skenes, for the matchup against the Mexican national team.
The big decision for the United States for the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Although Skenes is coming off a historic 2025 season, where he was unanimously awarded the National League Cy Young after posting an impressive 1.97 ERA, he will not be the one to open the tournament.
DeRosa has opted for a rotation that prioritizes head-to-head matchups based on the level of danger of the opponents in Group B, where Mexico is one of the biggest concerns.
- Logan Webb (SF Giants) will open the curtain against Brazil on March 6.
- Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers), the current American League Cy Young winner, will face Great Britain on March 7.
- Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates) will take the mound against Mexico on Monday, March 9.
- Nolan McLean (NY Mets) will close the opening phase against Italy.
Mexico’s biggest concern for the World Baseball Classic
The decision to send Skenes to the third game is no coincidence. The Mexican lineup presents itself as the most difficult obstacle for the Americans at Daikin Park, with figures such as Randy Arozarena, Alejandro Kirk and the explosive Jarren Duran.
Faced with a lineup with so much power and Major League experience, the United States is relying on Skenes’ “golden arm” to secure the group lead.
If the United States advances to the knockout round, Skenes would be projected to pitch again in a potential semifinal or final in Miami, depending on how the rotation moves in the quarterfinals.
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