Paul Skenes, Team USA Favorites to Win World Baseball Classic
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is here.
After several participants scrimmaged MLB teams in spring training on Tuesday, the tournament officially begins late Wednesday night when Chinese Taipei faces Australia at 10 p.m. ET.
There are 20 countries/territories competing in this year’s World Baseball Classic and Team USA (-110) is the betting favorite to be crowned champions according to the FanDuel Sportsbook. Reigning champion Japan (+380), who topped the United States in the 2023 WBC, is second followed closely by the Dominican Republic (+390).
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is one of the many stars who will put on a red, white and blue uniform representing the United States. Former Pirates reliever and Pittsburgh-native David Bednar and ex-Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes are also representing team USA. Sean Casey, who was graduated from Upper St. Clair and played for the Pirates in 2006, is the team’s hitting coach.
The United States had a tune up game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday and won 15-1. Skenes allowed one run with four strikeouts in three innings in the start. The offense combined for 19 hits, including two apiece from Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) and Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners), each of whom also drove in a pair of runs.
The United States will take on Brazil in their opening game of the tournament on Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb will start.
Team USA is in Pool B with Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. There are four pools consisting of five teams and the top two teams from each pool will advance to the next round.
The Pirates have 15 players from the organization competing in this year’s World Baseball Classic.
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