All articles tagged with #pool b
Italy's 9-1 rout of Mexico in Pool B eliminates the need for a tiebreaker and sends Team USA to the WBC quarterfinals to face Canada, after Mark DeRosa prematurely claimed advancement; the win featured Aaron Nola's five scoreless innings and Vinnie Pasquantino's three homers, injecting momentum into the tournament and prompting discussion about future U.S. participation and player motivation.
In Pool B of the World Baseball Classic, the United States, Italy and Mexico remain in contention for two quarterfinal spots, with Brazil and Great Britain eliminated. After the USA beat Mexico but lost to Italy, the final standings will be decided in Wednesday’s Italy–Mexico game. If Italy defeats Mexico, Italy clinches Pool B and the USA advances as runner-up on a tiebreaker. If Mexico wins, the USA can still advance only if Mexico scores at least five runs, since the tie-breaker among the tied teams uses the ratio of runs allowed to defensive outs; the exact outcome will be determined in the Italy–Mexico matchup.
USA finally heated up in the fifth inning, scoring five runs (then three in the sixth and one in the seventh) to turn a 1–0 deficit into a 9–1 win over Great Britain, securing first place in Pool B. An infield error by GB opened the door for Crow-Armstrong to double and Schwarber to homer and seize the lead; Tarik Skubal surrendered the early homer but the offense and late rallies put the game away. USA improves to 2–0 and will face Mexico next, with Paul Skenes starting and Skubal keeping the door open for a potential future WBC appearance despite his pending free agency.
Team USA kicks off World Baseball Classic pool play Friday, March 6, at Daikin Park in Houston against Brazil (8 p.m. ET, FOX/FOX Deportes) as part of Pool B with Mexico, Italy, Great Britain. The U.S. will also play pre-tournament exhibitions vs the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies. Eight of 20 teams advance to the quarterfinals, which begin March 13, with the final on March 17. In pool play, Logan Webb starts vs Brazil, Tarik Skubal vs Great Britain, Shohei Skenes vs Mexico, and Nolan McLean (New York Mets rookie) vs Italy, with all 47 games airing on FOX family networks.