2026 World Baseball Classic

[andyb]

US and Italy both undefeated in their group are playing tonight. Nola is starting tomorrow against Mexico which is likely a big game with the winner going onto the quarterfinals as Mexico also has one loss. This is almost certainly Nola's only start though technically he'd have 5 days rest for the final if Italy made it that far.

[VoteForKalas]

USA loses to Italy 8-6 and now has to watch Italy & Mexico play to decide if they advance or go home. Really disappointing loss.

To make things even worse, the buffoon manager Mark DeRosa stated on MLB Network earlier in the day that the team had "already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals" and thus the game vs Italy did not matter.

How the manager does not even know where his own team stands and what the rules of the tournament are is beyond mind boggling.

[fish]

Of all the dominant relief arms in the game and on the roster, why is Ryan Yarborough on the team?

[zambonir]

Guess Aaron Nola is pitching for Team USA tonight after all, one way or another (he either has to win for US to get the spot or get hammered by Mexico for US to get the tiebreak).

[andyb]

Looks like the US just needs Italy to score 4 runs OR Mexico to score 5 to advance if Italy does not win. I think there are extra inning scenarios where we would need to add a run to that equation. Chart below is for a 9-inning game since the formula involves total outs and runs allowed.

Based on tomorrow’s score between Italy and Mexico, this table shows which team will be eliminated pic.twitter.com/6prq35xFYv

— Sammy Steigert ( @SammySteigert ) March 11, 2026

[zambonir]

Funny thread. Also funny that the hosts and producers of the show (which DeRosa is on) didn't know enough to call him on it.

https://bsky.app/profile/baumann.bsky.social/post/3mgs6ivfjlc2i

And that Michael Hill (former Marlins GM and MLB functionary) is ostensibly the Team USA general manager (and DeRosa is also the Manfred stooge who called out Harper over the salary cap comments).

[andyb]

Italy-Mexico game moved to FS1 instead of Tubi where Venezuela-Dominican will now go. Nola is probably going to face a 90% Mexican crowd in Houston.

[zambonir]

Can't really say I care if the US backs into the quarters at this point. Mexico probably more fun (and deserving as a "World" baseball country.. A team of Italian-American MLB journeymen and Nola, not so much, though obviously I would like to see Nola pitch well.

[phillychuck]

The best thing Nola can do for the US is to give up 5 runs in the first inning. Throw all FBs, aim for the middle of the plate.

[zambonir]

There's definitely going to be a moment in the game where both teams might stop trying to win. But obviously Nola's not going to tank the game (unless someone in Italy wants him too. Oops, sorry that's problematic).

Mexico fan just celebrated catching Italy's home run. Don't think he's throwing it back either.

[zambonir]

Nola with 4 1/3 innings of shutout ball, Italy up 5-0, he's thrown 65 pitches and I guess is about to get hooked.

He goes five full, thanks to a CS for out two and then he gets weak contact to close out the fifth.

[andyb]

US is almost mathematically in with Italy scoring 5 unless this goes like 15 innings. Mexico winning might be better because we would get the 1 seed in the pool.

[zambonir]

Yes PC didn't seem to consider that Nola winning the game was the simplest/best thing for the US.

[andyb]

Nori with a big squeeze play bunt and is 2-2.

[Philsmania]

I wonder if Nori is going to shoot up the prospect rankings with his WBC showing.

And, maybe Nola's strong showing is a good sign for us.

[phillychuck]

They gave Nori a sac instead of a hit on the bunt...could have gone either way.

While we’re at this, the WBC format certainly does not result in the best team winning. Baseball, especially with pitchers limited to a max 4 IP or so, especially in the early spring during MLB ramp-up, is really random in any particular game. The AAA/AA Italy team could easily win it all if they stay hot. That’s why all the vitriol for the US losing to Italy is just so inappropriate...

[andyb]

I think Nori's performance is consistent with what he showed last year. Top 200 prospect but not really top 100. He is playing well but most of what he has done is off of lesser pitchers. He still needs to show some power to shoot up the rankings more than that and he will also have to show discipline against pitchers in the high minors who will be more prone to throw strikes.

This tournament is a positive for him but not sure it is changing his rankings. I still think he is 50-50 to go back to high A though at least half the year should be in Reading so he'll be in a park that helps rather than hurts his power. The worst thing we could do would be to move him too quickly based on performances like the WBC (and his upper level cameo last season).

[andyb]

The AAA/AA Italy team could easily win it all if they stay hot.

They'll need Nola to start the final and go 6 for that. Wonder if the Phillies would allow that. Semis would be 4 days rest. Finals 5 days.

[phillychuck]

Nola might start that game and go 5 or 6. Phils should let it happen, as long as Nola works the way he would normally work a spring game. Throw the stuff he needs to throw to get sharp. His uptick in velocity yesterday was very interesting...

Andy, I think you’re right about Nori, but I actually think he’s pretty close to making the top 100 list given his defense and progress. Love to see him at Reading most of the year. Posting a high OBP with an 800-ish OPS this season would probably move him to the 100 list.

[zambonir]

That’s why all the vitriol for the US losing to Italy is just so inappropriate...

The vitriol wasn't that they got beat, it was that the manager didn't treat it like an important game (whether by ignorance or intention). And I'm sure Mexico doesn't feel great about A) losing and B) the fact that almost nobody on the Italy team is from Italy (two players in fact, including one ex-Phillies prospect). Not that Mexico didn't take advantage of as many American-born players as they could but if the eligibility was tightened to just parents or even grandparents they would not suffer nearly as much. (I believe Nori, like Nola, is relying on a great-grandparents).

Re: Nola there's an 80-pitch limit for these games. It was 65 for pool play.