The Chicago Cubs will have a lot of representation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The official rosters were released on Thursday night, and eight different Cubs players will be participating in this one-of-a-kind tournament. Those eight players are spread across six countries.
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The most players the Cubs have on one team are for Team USA. The North Siders will have three players in Alex Bregman, Matthew Boyd, and Pete Crow-Armstrong representing Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The Cubs are tied with the Phillies for the most players from one team representing Team USA.
Bregman will likely be the starting third baseman for Team USA since the Cubs infielder is the only true third baseman on the team. Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement is the only other third baseman on the roster.
As for Boyd, he could pitch out of relief in the World Baseball Classic with Team USA having Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Logan Webb, and Joe Ryan as starters. If needed, the southpaw would be that No. 5 starter in this rotation.
Then, there’s Crow-Armstrong, who committed to play for Team USA way back in early November at the MLB Awards show. He’ll be splitting time with Byron Buxton in center field and could start for Team USA in some games.
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Seiya Suzuki will represent Team Japan after missing the 2023 World Baseball Classic due to an oblique injury. He will be Team Japan’s starting right fielder with Shohei Ohtani filling in as the designated hitter.
The other four Cubs players to play in the upcoming World Baseball Classic will be Jameson Taillon for Team Canada, Miguel Amaya for Team Panama, Daniel Palencia for Team Venezuela, and Javier Assad for Team Mexico.
Taillon will be the ace of Team Canada in the tournament, with Cal Quantrill, James Paxton, and Michael Soroka behind him. The Cubs pitcher will also have a familiar face in Owen Caissie playing behind him.
Amaya should start for Team Panama and will likely split catcher duties with Ivan Herrera. Christian Bethancourt — who the Cubs signed to a Minor League deal this offseason — will also be on this team.
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Palencia will be one of the main bullpen arms for a Team Venezuela unit that features stars like Ronald Acuna Jr., William Contreras, and Salvador Perez, and Assad will be one of the top pitchers for Team Mexico.
With eight different players to root for in the World Baseball Classic, Cubs fans will have plenty to cheer for. There are also potential matchups where Cubs players could be going head-to-head.
Crow-Armstrong and Bregman could be facing Assad when Team USA plays Team Mexico, and Amaya could face Taillon when Team Panama plays Team Canada.
The World Baseball Classic officially begins on March 5.