Baseball is back as pitchers and catchers have now reported to Glendale. The full squad will report soon, and camp will officially begin, but this spring, there will be a little something extra mixed in. The World Baseball Classic returns, turning March into a whirlwind of games, travel, and proud displaying of those ole’ country flags.
Samurai Japan is gunning for its fourth WBC crown since 2006. The last final? Still burned into memory: Shohei Ohtani fanning Mike Trout. Hollywood really could not have scripted it any better. Team USA, the champs in 2017, wants the throne back and finally has some elite arms to match the loud bats.
South Side fans have plenty of reason to tune in as a handful of familiar faces will temporarily trade black and white for the colors of their home countries. Chicago will have representation across multiple pools, giving Camelback Ranch a distinctly international feel before Cactus League play even settles in.
The WBC runs from March 5-17, with pool play bouncing from Houston to Miami to Tokyo and a few other stops, before the whole thing lands in loanDepot Park in Miami for the finish.
How to watch Team USA in pool play
If you’re tracking Team USA, here’s the pool-play slate. The top two in the five-team group move on. All Pool B games are at Daikin Park in Houston.
Friday, March 6
Team USA vs. Brazil
First pitch: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FOX/FOX Deportes
Saturday, March 7
Team USA vs. Great Britain
First pitch: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Monday, March 9
Team USA vs. Mexico
First pitch: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FOX/FOX Deportes
Tuesday, March 10
Team USA vs. Italy
First pitch: 9 p.m. ET
TV: FS1/FOX Deportes
If Team USA advances, here’s how the knockout round could unfold:
Quarterfinal scenarios (Houston)
Friday, March 13 (if Team USA wins Pool B)
vs. Pool A runner-up
8 p.m. ET — FOX/FOX Deportes
Saturday, March 14 (if Team USA finishes second in Pool B)
vs. Pool A winner
3 p.m. ET — FS1/FOX Deportes
Seminfinals & championship (Miami)
Sunday, March 15 (if advancing via Scenario 1)
8 p.m. ET — FS1/FOX Deportes
Monday, March 16 (if advancing via Scenario 2)
8 p.m. ET — FS1/Fox Deportes
Tuesday, March 17 — championship game
8 p.m. ET — Fox/Fox Deportes
Do you want to follow the journey of some of the other countries? Check out the full schedule.
We’ve already broken down which Sox are in, who might make some noise, and what it all means for the roster fights back in Glendale. So buckle up: camp is open, the world’s watching, and real baseball, finally, is about to start.