Chicago Cubs fans will get to see their All-Star center fielder, Pete Crow-Armstrong, get the start against Great Britain after Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton got hit by a pitch in his hand in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. The 2025 Gold Glove winner will bat ninth for manager Mark DeRosa.
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Crow-Armstrong came in to replace Buxton for the rest of the game on Friday and went 0-2 with two groundouts, while drawing a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning to score his teammate, third baseman Alex Bregman.
Tarik Skubal is on the mound for @USABaseball tonight 💪
📺: 8pm ET on FOX pic.twitter.com/tshIsb3nym
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 7, 2026
Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong has a chance to shine in his first World Baseball Classic start
Mar 6, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; United States center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) during batting practice before the game against Brazil at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Getting his feet wet playing on Friday in the US’s 15-5 drubbing of Brazil, Crow-Armstrong has a chance to put on a show against Great Britain, who are 0-1 after losing to Mexico (8-2) on Friday. Crow-Armstrong and the USA lineup will face 31-year-old right-hander Tyler Viza, who has no major league experience, but has a 43-63 record with a 4.40 ERA in 816.0 innings in nine minor league seasons.
In 148 games against right-handed pitching last season, Crow-Armstrong batted .271 with an OPS of .838 and hit 24 of his 31 home runs off right-handers. Against left-handers, Crow-Armstrong was not great, batting .188 with an OPS of .593 in 109 games.
Crow-Armstrong can likely expect to play the whole game against Great Britain, with DeRosa likely to proceed with caution after Buxton got hit. If Buxton is good to play, he could likely come in as a late-inning switch if Great Britain brings in a left-hander to face Crow-Armstrong.
Mar 4, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; United States center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) throws the ball in against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
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