Baseball has returned and pitchers and catchers have now reported to Glendale. The full team will show up soon and camp will officially begin, but this spring there will be something extra mixed in. The World Baseball Classic returns, turning March into a whirlwind of games, travel and proud displays of those old country flags.
Samurai Japan seeks its fourth WBC crown since 2006. The last final? Still etched in memory: Shohei Ohtani fanning Mike Trout. Hollywood really couldn’t have written it better. The 2017 champion Team USA wants to reclaim the throne and finally has some elite arms to match the rowdy bats.
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South Side fans have plenty of reasons to tune in, as a handful of familiar faces will temporarily trade in black and white for the colors of their home countries. Chicago will have representation in multiple groups, giving Camelback Ranch a distinctly international feel even before Cactus League play is established.
The WBC will take place March 5-17, with pool play heading from Houston to Miami to Tokyo and a few other stops, before everything lands at Depot Park in Miami for its finale.
How to watch Team USA in pool play
If you’re following Team USA, here’s the list of pool games. The top two of the group of five teams advance. All Group B games are at Daikin Park in Houston.
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Friday March 6
Team USA vs. Brazil
First launch: 8 pm ET
Television: FOX/FOX Deportes
Saturday March 7
Team USA vs. Great Britain
First launch: 8 pm ET
television: FOX
Monday March 9
Team USA vs. Mexico
First launch: 8 pm ET
Television: FOX/FOX Deportes
Tuesday March 10
Team USA vs. Italy
First launch: 9 pm ET
Television: FS1/FOX Sports
If Team USA advances, here’s how the knockout round could play out:
Quarterfinal scenarios (Houston)
Friday March 13 (if Team USA wins Group B)
against the runner-up of Group A
8 pm Eastern – FOX/FOX Deportes
Saturday March 14 (if Team USA finishes second in Group B)
vs. winner of Group A
3 pm Eastern – FS1/FOX Sports
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Semifinals and championship (Miami)
Sunday March 15 (if you progress through Scenario 1)
8 pm Eastern – FS1/FOX Sports
Monday March 16 (if you progress through Scenario 2)
8 pm Eastern – FS1/Fox Sports
Tuesday, March 17: championship game
8 pm Eastern – Fox/Fox Deportes
Additional pool game
Do you want to follow the journey of some of the other countries? Check the complete schedule.
We have already collapsed what stockings are they inwho could make some noise and what it all means for the struggling squad in Glendale. So buckle up: camp is open, the world is watching, and the real baseball is finally about to begin.