On Friday night, Team USA defeated Team Canada 5-3 in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong provided support at the bottom of the lineup, each recording two hits and an RBI. Team USA will face the formidable Team Dominican Republic on Sunday at 8 p.m. with a spot in the WBC championship game on the line.

World Baseball Classic Results

Team Dominican Republic defeated Team Korea 10-0 by mercy rule in Friday night’s other quarterfinal matchup. Cristopher Sánchez tossed five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts while Juan Soto went 1-for-4 while also scoring a run with the help of a highlight-reel swim move.

Latest Mets News

The Mets played two split-squad spring training games on Friday. At home, the Mets lost to the Marlins 1-0. Kodai Senga provided three perfect innings with five strikeouts out of the gate, while Clay Holmes pitched five innings of one-run ball in relief. Devin Williams also pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

On the road, the Mets defeated the Nationals 8-3. Carson Benge had an RBI single, continuing his hot spring, while Carl Edwards Jr. threw four scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

The Mets signed outfielder JT Benson out of independent ball. Benson had an .889 OPS with 24 stolen bases in 80 Frontier League games this past season.

Latest MLB News

This year’s World Baseball Classic has already set an all-time attendance record for the tournament. Records have also been set for attendance for an individual pool (Tokyo) and attendance for a pool in the United States (Houston).

Latest on MMO

Kai Chang highlights how great Luis Robert Jr. looked at the plate for the Mets in his spring debut.

Robert Colonna analyzes the changes Tobias Myers has made ahead of his first season with the Mets.

Robert Colonna provides the latest injury update on Francisco Lindor.

On This Date in Mets History

1961: The Mets named George Weiss as the team’s first President. One of Weiss’s first moves to boost the new franchise was to hire Casey Stengel as manager.

Born on This Date: Josh Stinson (1988).

The post Morning Briefing: Team USA Advances to WBC Semifinals appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Luckily for them, Italy kept them alive after they defeated Team Mexico by a score of 9-1 on Wednesday night.

Now, the United States have new life in the tournament and are set to face off against Canada in the quarterfinals at Daikin Park in Houston. Elsewhere, the electric Team Dominican Republic will take on Team Korea from loanDepot Park in Miami.

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Dominican Republic vs. Korea (6:30 p.m. EST, FS2)

After allowing three runs against Team Nicaragua last week, Cristopher Sanchez is back on the bump for the Dominican Republic. The Philadelphia Phillies ace will look to bounce back against a Team Korea lineup that features the likes of Jahmai Jones, Jung Hoo Lee, Bo Gyeong Moon and Hyeseong Kim.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays left-handed starter Hyun Jin Ryu will toe the rubber for Korea after giving up one earned run across three innings against Chinese Taipei in pool play.

Ryu has his work cut out for him, though, against a potent lineup that scored 41 runs in pool play thanks to the star power of Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ketel Marte, Julio Rodriguez and Manny Machado, among others.

The winners of this contest would move on to play the victor of the USA vs. Canada matchup on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. EST in Miami.

USA vs. Canada (8:00 p.m. EST, FOX)

The U.S. will call on San Francisco Giants All-Star right-hander Logan Webb in an attempt to shut down Canada’s lineup. Webb allowed one run on one hit with six strikeouts against Brazil in the opener of pool play.

Canada, meanwhile, will send Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka out for the start. He gave up one earned run over three innings in a victory over Colombia last week.

Team USA is looking to make it back to the semifinals of the WBC for a third-straight time, while Canada has never made it that far in the tournament throughout its 20-year history up to this point.

The post WBC Game Chat: Dominican Republic vs. Korea & USA vs. Canada appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

He started the first inning by pitching exactly how many expected: striking out the side on 11 pitches.

However, the second inning was a tale of two innings. Things unraveled for McLean in inning number two after getting the first two batters to ground out. The Mets’ 24-year-old pitcher surrendered a solo home run to Kyle Teel, then proceeded to hit Jac Caglianone. The blow of the inning came when Sam Antonacci took McLean deep to make it a 3-0 Italy lead.

McLean fared better in the third, escaping the inning without allowing another run. New York’s top prospect ended his night after throwing 55 pitches (34 strikes) across three innings. He allowed three earned runs on two hits, walked two and struck out four.

Over the course of his night, McLean got six whiffs and had a 29 percent called strikes plus whiffs percentage. According to Pitcher List Stats, he threw his breaking ball most, throwing 17 curveballs and 15 sweepers, which proved to be his strongest pitches on Tuesday night. Of note, both home runs came on the four-seamer

The post Nolan McLean Delivers Mixed Results in WBC Start appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Via Phillies/Team USA

The Team USA offense has gotten red hot at the right time. On Sunday night, they were able to dominate Cuba, 14-2, in Miami as they have reached the World Baseball Classic final for the second consecutive time. They await the winner of the Mexico-Japan semifinal, which will be played tomorrow night.

It did not look good early as Cuba got on the board first against Adam Wainwright. After three straight singles and a walk, Cuba led 1-0 before even having one out. Wainwright was able to limit the damage to that lone run and it kept the game from getting out of hand early.

The offense got going in a hurry in the bottom of the first. Mookie Betts led off the frame with a double and he came around to score on a Paul Goldschmidt two-run home run to put the stars and stripes up 2-1.

GOLDY GOES YARD 💪

Team USA takes the lead!!

📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/1zUA3hHkZC

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2023

Trea Turner picked up right where he left off Saturday night as he hit a solo home run in the second to extend the lead to 3-1. That was the last run Roenis Elías game up in his short start for Cuba. He went two innings, allowed three runs on four hits, walked a batter, and struck out one on 38 pitches (22 strikes).

In the bottom of the third, Pete Alonso drove in his first run of the WBC. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Alonso singled to left to put the USA up 4-1. The lead later became 5-1 on a sacrifice fly by Tim Anderson.

Pete Alonso drives in a run 💪🇺🇸

Team USA leads 4-1!

📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/ZPoRgvJ6O1

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 20, 2023

The USA added two more runs in the fourth on an RBI triple by Nolan Arenado and a wild pitch on a Kyle Schwarber walk that allowed him to score.

With the game already being broke open, the USA added two more runs in the fifth. Cuba had cut the lead to 7-2, but the offense kept extending the lead. Alonso was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Jeff McNeil came in to pinch-hit for Anderson, McNeil drew one of his two walks and Turner singled to load the bases. Three batters later, Goldschmidt drove in two runs with a base hit to right field.

Goldy locked in 🦅

Team USA leads 9-2 🇺🇸

📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/HfAhPlSVaC

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 20, 2023

Turner hit his second home run of the night in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run home run, his fourth of the WBC to put Team USA up by double-digits. The Phillies shortstop went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and he has 10 RBIs during this tournament.

TREA TURNER CANNOT BE STOPPED 🔥🇺🇸

📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/7RwnIEADon

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 20, 2023

Team USA hit their fourth home run of the night in the eighth when Cedric Mullins hit a pinch-hit home run in the eighth. Out of the 14 hits that the offense had, eight of them went for extra bases. As they head to the final, the team has scored 49 runs in the tournament.

USA’s 49 runs are 6th-most in a single WBC, behind only:

2006 JPN: 60
2017 PUR: 55
2009 KOR: 53
2009 JPN: 50
2009 USA: 50

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 20, 2023

Since Team USA had a big lead, they were able to use only three pitchers, which was huge considering the amount of arms they used Saturday night. Wainwright (2-0) picked up the win as he went four innings, allowed one run on five hits, walked a batter, and struck out one on 64 pitches (42 strikes).

Wainwright’s teammate in St. Louis, Miles Mikolas, piggybacked him with four strong innings of his own. He allowed one run on six hits and struck out three on 77 pitches (52 strikes). Aaron Loup ended up pitching the ninth and allowed a hit in a scoreless inning.

Next Game

Team USA will play Mexico or Japan in the championship game on Tuesday night. You can catch the game on FS1 at 7 p.m ET. Mark DeRosa has yet to name a starter for the game.

“It looks like it’s Merrill Kelly’s day. We’ll sit down and discuss it further.”

– USA manager on who may start in the WBC final for Team USA pic.twitter.com/smpjhgyxtB

— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) March 20, 2023

The post Team USA Routs Cuba 14-2 To Reach WBC Final appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Good morning, Mets fans!

Per Marc Craig of The Athletic, Edwin Díaz returned home to Port St. Lucie on Saturday after having surgery on Thursday. He was greeted by a trainer, nutritionist and a personal chef, courtesy of Steve Cohen and the Mets. According to a phone call between Cohen and Díaz, Cohen told him, “We’re going to do everything we can to get you better and take care of you.”

This is just one of the latest efforts Cohen is trying to implement to connect with players. “It’s important to have a personal touch. I think that matters, it shows you care,” he said earlier this spring.

The United States defeated Venezuela on Saturday night 9-7 to advance to the semifinal round against Cuba on Sunday.

Meanwhile, just a little ways up north in West Palm Beach, the Mets defeated the Astros 2-0. The Mets were led by seven scoreless innings from ace Max Scherzer, who struck out eight. Mets pitching combined for 13 strikeouts on Saturday against Houston.

WBC Scores

USA 9, Venezuela 7

• Pete Alonso: 1-for-1
• Adam Ottavino: 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K

Latest Mets News

According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, former Met Todd Frazier is joining YES Network to do studio work. Frazier played for the Mets and five other teams in his 11-year career.

Prior to their game on Saturday against the Astros, the Mets made a number of roster cuts:

• Outfielders Abraham Almonte and Jaylin Davis were reassigned to minor league camp.
• Infielder Ronny Mauricio was optioned to Triple-A.
• Left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi was optioned to Triple-A.

During their game against the Astros, the Mets made a few more roster cuts as well:

• Right-handed pitcher William Woods was reassigned to minor league camp.
• Catcher Hayden Senger was reassigned to minor league camp.
• Outfielder Lorenzo Cedrola was assigned to minor league camp.

Per Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets have a scheduled team-bonding event on Sunday after their home game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The event: a crawfish boil organized by Max Scherzer.

Latest MLB News

 Jose Altuve left Saturday night’s World Baseball Classic game between the United States and Venezuela with an apparent hand injury. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the initial concern with Altuve is a broken right thumb. No reports have been confirmed and the Astros are expected to provide more information on Sunday.

Latest on MMO

Dilip Sridhar discusses how the Mets can replace the injured Edwin Diaz.

Mathias Altman-Kurosaki talks about the important role Luis Guillorme will play for the Mets throughout the 2023 season.

Andrew Steele-Davis recaps Carlos Carrasco’s strong outing from Friday, March 17 and discusses the importance of that outing for Carrasco and the Mets.

Andrew Steele-Davis talks about the latest on Brandon Nimmo and his status of being week-to-week with a low grade sprain of his right knee and ankle.

Andrew Steele-Davis recaps some of the roster moves made by the Mets, including Ronny Mauricio being optioned to Triple-A.

Alexis Farinacci recaps the Mets’ 2-0 win over the Astros on Saturday night that featured seven scoreless innings and eight strikeouts by Max Scherzer.

On This Date in Mets History

1996: Bill Pulsipher suffered a season-ending strained tendon in his left elbow.

1996: Paul Wilson suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.

Birthdays: Jose Butto (25), Tim Corcoran (70), Dan Rose (76), Richie Ashburn (96)

The post Morning Briefing: Steve Cohen Supporting Edwin Díaz With ‘Personal Touch’ appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Via MLB/Team USA

We witnessed quite the classic in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

With the United States down to their last six outs in the WBC, Mark DeRosa’s squad found a way to come back after leading by three runs multiple times in the game. Down 7-5 in the top of the eighth, Trea Turner crushed a bases loaded grand slam to left field that ended up giving Team USA a 9-7 victory over previously unbeaten Venezuela at loanDepot Park in Miami.

TVT GRAND SALAMI 💣 pic.twitter.com/VbD5no6E2X

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 19, 2023

Team USA got off to a hot start in the top of the first against Martin Pérez. Mookie Betts led off the game with a base hit and he would come across to score thanks to a bloop single by Mike Trout and a throwing error by Ronald Acuña Jr. Singles by Paul Goldschmidt and Kyle Tucker in the first inning gave the United States a 3-0 lead and ended Perez’s night early (1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 11 of 16 pitches for strikes).

Venezuela would answer back in the bottom of the inning against Lance Lynn. Jose Altuve had a leadoff single and he came around to score on a two-run home run by Luis Arraez. The current Marlin hit his first home run of the WBC in his now home ballpark to cut the lead to 3-2.

Lynn would hold the Venezuela lineup to just the two-run home run. He went four innings, allowed two runs on four hits, walked a batter, and struck out two on 58 pitches (38 strikes).

In the top of the fifth, with the USA up 4-2 (Betts sac fly in the fourth), Tucker hit a solo home run to right to extend the lead to 5-2. However, the lead would end up disappearing by the end of the inning:

KING TUCK 👑

Kyle Tucker homers off Luis Garcia to give Team USA a 5-2 lead!

📺: WBC on FOX pic.twitter.com/WbwLzg6Jjy

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 19, 2023

Daniel Bard entered the game for Lynn and was unable to record an out. Gleyber Torres drew a walk, Andrés Giménez had an infield single, and Altuve was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Altuve ended up leaving the game with a hand injury. While no official update has been given, it does not sound like good news at all:

Altuve being evaluated for injury to right hand. Astros will provide update tomorrow.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 19, 2023

As I just reported on broadcast, initial concern with Jose Altuve is that he has a broken right thumb. Not
confirmed at this point. Astros will provide more information tomorrow.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 19, 2023

Bard threw his second of two wild pitches to allow a run to score and would be relieved by Jason Adam. After an Arraez groundout cut the lead to one, Salvador Perez doubled to left to tie the game and then Acuña Jr.’s sacrifice fly put Venezuela up 6-5.

Adam Ottavino came in to pitch in the bottom of the sixth and ended up striking out two batters in a 1-2-3 inning. He got Eugenio Suárez to strike out on a sinker and Torres to strike out on a slider (11 of 15 pitches for strikes).

Team Venezuela would add on another run in the seventh on Arraez’s second home run of the game, this one coming against David Bednar, who ended up recording the win.

That memorable eighth inning started with a Tim Anderson walk, Pete Alonso recording his first hit of the WBC (pinch-hitting for Kyle Schwarber) and a J.T. Realmuto hit-by-pitch against José Quijada. Omar Lopez made the move to go to Silvino Bracho and Turner ended up making him pay with the grand slam.

Devin Williams did not allow a run in the eighth (1 H, 2 K’s) and Ryan Pressly picked up the save with a 1-2-3 ninth to preserve the win for the United States and send them to the semifinals for the second straight year. Eduardo Escobar got a pinch-hit at-bat against Pressly and ended up lining out to first base.

On Deck

It will be a short turnaround for Team USA as they will be back on the field Sunday night. They will be taking on Cuba in the semifinals (7 p.m ET, FS1). Adam Wainwright (1-0, 2.25 ERA) will take the ball for the USA against Roenis Elías (0-0, 2.57 ERA) for Cuba in an atmosphere where the USA might feel like the visiting team. It will be the first meeting between these two teams in the WBC.

Cuba has not played since their 4-3 win over Australia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday in Tokyo, but they are on a three-game win streak after starting the WBC 0-2.

Mexico take on a powerhouse Japan team in the other semifinal on Monday.

The post Trea Turner Grand Slam Sends USA To WBC Semifinals appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Via MLB/Team USA

We’re getting into crunch time in the World Baseball Classic and we have a mouthwatering game to look forward to on Saturday. Team USA will take on Team Venezuela with a place in the semifinals at stake.

While the WBC has come under fire this week in light of the Edwin Díaz injury news, the tournament has still delivered plenty of thrilling moments and that will only continue the deeper we get in.

Saturday’s marquee showdown will feature some important Mets connections, too. Pete Alonso will be hoping to help Team USA continue their march to hopefully defending their crowd. Meanwhile, Eduardo Escobar will be looking to help Venezuela remain unbeaten and move a step closer to ultimate glory. Escobar hit a home run in Venezuela’s victory over Israel on Wednesday.

Team USA finished second in Pool C (3-1) after losing to Mexico but beating Great Britain, Canada and Columbia. Team Venezuela, on the other hand, went a perfect 4-0 in what was a juggernaut of a Pool D, beating the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and Israel.

Before we look ahead to Saturday’s contest a little more, however, there was some WBC action on Friday as Mexico met Puerto Rico in quarterfinal 4.

Puerto Rico 4-5 Mexico

In what was one of the best and most electrifying games yet of the World Baseball Classic, it was Mexico who came out on top in an absolute thriller.

It was Puerto Rico, though, who came out swinging. Showing no impact in the wake of the devastating injury to Díaz just days before, Javier Báez and Eddie Rosario hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning. However, Mexico got back into the game thanks to Isaac Paredes, who hit an absolute 412 feet moonshot off former Met Marcus Stroman.

.@LuisUrias03 gives Team Mexico the lead in the 7th! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/MCmvjvvewg

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2023

Francisco Lindor and the rest of the Puerto Rico lineup was stifled by excellent pitching, while Mexico continued to get clutch hits at the plate. Paredes hit a game-tying, two run single to left field, before Luis Urías followed that up with a go-ahead single to put his country in the driving seat. Randy Arozarena then made a superb leaping catch at the warning track to rob Emmanuel Rivera in the eighth inning.

While Lindor and Puerto Rico will now head home, Mexico will begin preparing to take on a powerhouse Japan team in the semifinals on Monday.

USA vs. Venezuela, 7:00 P.M. EST

This is a matchup between two heavyweights with a lot of talent. Team USA boasts a lot of star power up and down their lineup and they have been powered by Mike Trout. The Angels superstar has been thriving on the big stage, going 3-for-4 and driving in all of Team USA’s runs during their win over Columbia on Wednesday. Trout is slashing .417/588/.833 in his first four WBC games.

Venezuela are unbeaten heading into Saturday’s quarterfinal, and they have been playing really impressive baseball from the very start of the tournament. They too have a lot of talent in their ranks, including veteran catcher Salvador Perez who was named the Pool D MVP after going 5-for-10 at the plate in his first three games. Perez drove in five runs and hit a homer and three doubles while slashing .500/.545/.1.100 during that stretch.

Neither Alonso nor Escobar are in the lineup for their respective countries.

Chicago White Sox righty Lance Lynn will get the start for Team USA, while Texas Rangers lefty Martín Pérez will go for Team Venezuela.

The winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal will go on to meet Cuba in the first semifinal on Sunday night.

Saturday’s quarterfinal between Team USA and Team Venezuela will be broadcast live on FOX.

The post WBC Game Thread: USA, Venezuela Set For QF Showdown appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Nolan Arenado. Photo via USA Today

After an embarrassing loss to Mexico on Sunday, Team USA (2-1) got their offense going early on Monday against Canada. Thanks in part to a nine-run opening inning, USA was able to defeat Canada 12-1 in seven innings to put themselves in a much better position to qualify for the quarterfinals.

While Team USA didn’t have the perfect game that Puerto Rico had earlier in the day against Israel, they were able to make some history of their own:

From @ESPNStatsInfo: Team USA scored 9 runs in the 1st inning, tying the WBC record for runs in an inning.

Before this game, no team in WBC history had scored more than 6 runs in a 1st inning.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 14, 2023

Team USA loaded the bases with no one out against starter Mitch Bratt to begin the bottom of the first. Then, Nolan Arenado ripped a two-run double to left field to get the scoring started.

Nolan Arenado continues to be clutch for Team USA. 💪 #WorldBaseballClassic

(MLB x @TMobile) pic.twitter.com/CoDJumZJhK

— MLB (@MLB) March 14, 2023

Three batters later, after a Kyle Tucker sacrifice fly, J.T. Realmuto hit a base hit to center to extend the lead to 4-0. That ended Bratt’s night. The left-handed pitching prospect for the Rangers only got one out in the inning, allowed six runs on three hits, and walked three on 25 pitches (nine strikes).

Braves pitching prospect R.J. Freure entered the game for Canada. Cedric Mullins ended up driving in Trea Turner (RBI groundout) with a triple to right for the USA’s sixth run. The scoring finally ended when Mike Trout hit a three-run home run in his second at-bat of the inning.

Big fly for @MikeTrout to cap off a nine-run first for Team USA! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/RjioUh8EnX

— MLB (@MLB) March 14, 2023

Those were all the runs that Lance Lynn would need. While the right-hander did allow a solo home run to Jared Young to lead off the top of the second, he was able to give the USA bullpen a much-needed breather. The White Sox right-hander went five innings, allowed one run on two hits, and struck out six on 65 pitches (42 strikes).

The USA offense did not stop as they scored three more runs in the second on a Tim Anderson RBI triple, a Realmuto sacrifice fly, and a solo home run by Trea Turner, which gave Team USA the 12-1 advantage.

Miles Mikolas ended up getting the final six outs of the game to secure the victory. In the final two innings, the Cardinals right-hander allowed three hits and struck out two batters on 33 pitches (22 strikes).

With Mark DeRosa’s lineup changes, Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil were not in the lineup on Monday. Alonso ended up pinch-hitting in the bottom of the sixth against Cade Smith (right-handed pitcher in the Guardians system) and struck out swinging. McNeil came into the game in left field in seventh, but never got an at-bat.

Anderson ended up getting the start at second base and Trout ended up getting a break from playing the field as he was the designated hitter. Paul Goldschmidt has played first base in each of the first three games. Every USA player had at least one hit except for Tucker.

Next Game

Team USA will finish up Pool C play on Wednesday night against Colombia (10 p.m ET, FS1). By then, they will know what they need to do to advance since they are the last game that will be played in the pool. Merrill Kelly will start for the USA at Chase Field in his home ballpark.

Colombia’s starter is yet to be announced since they still have to play Tuesday afternoon against Canada (3 p.m, FS2). They took their first loss of the tournament on Monday when they were defeated by Great Britain, 7-5, to give everybody at least one loss in Pool C.

The USA last played against Colombia in the 2017 WBC and ended up winning, 3-2, in 10 innings.

The post Team USA Bounces Back With Historic First Inning Against Canada appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Juan Soto. Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the rosters for all 20 countries in next month’s World Baseball Classic are out, it’s time to examine the teams in-depth. Today, we will take a look at the position-player pool.

Obviously, we can’t go too deep in terms of how each manager is going to set up their lineup in pool play, but we can go position-by-position to determine some of the stronger lineup in this year’s tournament. So, here’s the list of the five-best countries in terms of their position-player pool in this year’s tournament:

Randy Arozarena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

5. Mexico

This was a tough choice for number five with Korea Republic and Puerto Rico being heavily considered. Though, Mexico is the choice here.

Behind the plate, Team Mexico has Austin Barnes (Dodgers) and Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays). Kirk had the second-most hits among catchers a season ago (134) and drew the third-most walks (63). As for Barnes, he had a .704 OPS last year in 62 games, which is not an awful mark for a backup catcher.

In the infield, you have the power options of Brewers’ left-handed hitter Rowdy Tellez (35 home runs in 2022) and a right-handed hitter in Joey Meneses at first base. Meneses got his opportunity with the Nationals last year and he had a .930 OPS and a 165 OPS+ in 56 games (13 home runs).

In the middle infield spots, keep an eye on Isaac Paredes (Rays). He has good positional versatility, which has great value in this tournament. Last year, in his first full-season, he had 20 home runs and an OPS+ of 114 in 111 games.

The position group that is most intriguing for Mexico is the outfield. Alex Verdugo (Red Sox) has played in the WBC before and had success (5-for-14 in 2017). Meanwhile, Randy Arozarena (Rays) has a slashline of .333/.417/.705 with 11 home runs and 17 RBIs in 31 career postseason games. So, he is used to the big stage of a major tournament.

Salvador Pérez. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

4. Venezuela

Venezuela made it out 0f group play in 2017, but then went 0-3 in the second round against the United States, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. While they have to face two of those countries in Pool D, Omar López’s lineup has the potential to get this team to the semifinals if all goes right.

Behind the plate, they have one of the best offensive catchers in the game in Salvador Pérez (Royals). Pérez’s 2017 WBC was cut short due to a knee injury (2-for-7, HR, 2 RBI). Though, he has hit at least 20 home runs in six of his last seven MLB seasons. There are also good options behind Pérez in Robinson Chirinos and current Met Omar Narváez.

The strength for this Venezeulan offense is in their middle infield. They have a lot of depth with José Altuve (Astros), last year’s AL batting champ Luis Arráez (Marlins), and former Met Andrés Giménez (Guardians). Keep an eye on Giménez, who had a 7.4 WAR in 2022 and 20 stolen bases.

Further depth Venezuela has in their middle infield includes Gleyber Torres (Yankees) and Luis Rengifo (Angels), as well as Miguel Rojas (Dodgers). As for the corner infield position, of course Mets’ fans will be keeping an eye on what Eduardo Escobar does and how much time he gets at third base between him and Eugenio Suárez (Mariners).

Of course, the lineup gets a big boost with Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) set to anchor the group. Also, Anthony Santander (Orioles) and his 33 home runs from a season ago brings even more power to the outfield.

The wildcard of the team may end up being legend Miguel Cabrera (Tigers). There isn’t a true first baseman on the roster, so Cabrera could see some time there. He has hit a home run in each of the four previous WBCs.

Shohei Ohtani. Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Japan

If you are looking for an extensive breakdown of Team Japan, our own Matt Lazzarro broke down their preliminary roster terrifically.

Japan will be probably more known for its pitching, especially being led by Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish (Padres). Even though Ohtani will also hit, their offense has some other intriguing names as well.

Behind the plate, 29-year-old Takumi Ohshiro should thrive. He had a slash line of .266/.339/.416 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI for the Yomiuri Gianta a season ago. Defensively, he has just 12 errors at catchers across five seasons in the NPB. So, he is also able to limit the opposition from getting free bases.

In the infield, two names to watch are Munetaka Murakami and Tetsuto Yamada. Murakami can play either of the corner infield spots and has excellent power. With the Yakult Swallows last year, he hit 56 home runs, drove in 134 runs, and had an OPS of 1.168. He will definitely be a name to monitor if/when he is able to come to the United States.

As for Yamada, he has some prior WBC experience, notably he had a good tournament in 2017 when he went 8-for-27, hit a pair of home runs, and drove in five runs. The 30-year-old middle infielder had 31 doubles and hit 23 home runs for Yakult in 130 games in 2022.

Going out to the outfield, there are three major league players in Lars Nootbaar (Cardinals), Seiya Suzuki (Cubs), and Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox). Yoshida will probably be hitting towards the top of the Red Sox order in April and should provide some good contact hitting and plate discipline for Japan (80 walks in 119 games for Orix in ’22).

Pete Alonso. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

2. United States

In most years, Mark DeRosa’s lineup would probably be the best lineup in the tournament. Though, it is a new-look Team USA as only two players who played in 2017 are on this year’s roster (Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt).

Obviously, you can’t talk Team USA without talking about Mike Trout (Angels) and Mookie Betts (Dodgers) sharing the same outfield. Trout and Betts are the headliners, but, overall, there is a good mix of power when you add Kyle Tucker (Astros) and Kyle Schwarber (Phillies). Further, there is good gap hitting/speed with Cedric Mullins (Orioles) and Jeff McNeil (Mets) as well.

In the middle infield, Team USA has a chance to steal runs with the speed the team possesses via Trea Turner (Phillies), Tim Anderson (White Sox), and Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals). These three could be great table-setters for the likes of Arenado, Goldschmidt, and Pete Alonso (Mets).

As far as catcher goes, Will Smith (Dodgers) and J.T. Realmuto (Phillies) each finished near the top in home runs among catchers last year (with 24 and 22, respectfully). They were also two of the four catchers who finished with 130 or more hits.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Photo Credits: USA Today.

1. Dominican Republic

You could try to put together a fantasy lineup and even that team might not be able to match the lineup that Rodney Linares is going to put out there in Pool D. Back in 2017, the Dominican Republic hit nine home runs in the tournament, they should be able to match or even break that record this year.

If there is one weak point on the D.R. roster, it may be at catcher with Gary Sánchez. Sánchez, who is still a free agent, is known for being an all-or-nothing hitter in terms of either hitting a home run or striking out. But, if he gets hot, then it’s hard to find an easy out in this lineup.

As it stands, the infield options consist of a World Series MVP in Jeremy Pena (Astros) at shortstop, the AL MVP runner-up in 2021 in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) at first base, and the runner-up for the 2022 NL MVP in Manny Machado (Padres) at third base. If Machado isn’t playing, then you have Rafael Devers (Red Sox) and his power at the hot corner.

At the top of the order and in the outfield, both Julio Rodriguez (Mariners) and Juan Soto (Padres) can make a pitcher pay for a mistake early in the game. Or, they can work up the pitch count, which is key when you consider there are pitch limits in each round of the tournament.

Lastly, another veteran that can change the game with one swing is Nelson Cruz (Padres). Cruz had three home runs and six RBI in the 2017 WBC which led to him being named to the all-tournament team that year.

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Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has committed to play for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The World Baseball Classic will open with pool play on March 8 in Taiwan and it will end with the championship game on March 21 at loanDepot park in Miami.

The United States are the defending champs when the event was last held in 2017. They’ll play in Pool C at Chase Field in Arizona against Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and one to-be-determined team from the 2022 WBC qualifiers.

Other commitments to Team USA so far include Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and J.T. Realmuto.

Alonso might not be the only Met competing on the world stage next spring. When the event was last held, Starling Marte played for the Dominican Republic, Brandon Nimmo played for Italy, Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, and Francisco Lindor played for the Dominican Republic, and Mychal Givens suited up for the USA.

It’s hard to argue against Alonso being deserving of a spot on the team. Since the last event, Alonso is a two-time All-Star who has accumulated 135 home runs and slashed .261/349/.543 for his career. He’s having his best season in 2022 with an NL-leading 97 RBIs as the Mets look to seriously compete for the World Series title.

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