{"id":615055,"date":"2026-03-09T15:05:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/615055\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T15:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:05:13","slug":"cubs-shining-bright-on-global-stage-in-world-baseball-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/615055\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs Shining Bright On Global Stage in World Baseball Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

The World Baseball Classic is back, and the Chicago Cubs are represented all over the globe. Find out how they are doing here.<\/p>\n

We are now less than three weeks away from Opening Day at beautiful and historic Wrigley Field. As the Chicago Cubs<\/a> continue to shape back into form in Arizona, some of their stars are making their talents known all across the globe. The World Baseball Classic<\/a> is in full swing, and the Cubs are all over the place.<\/p>\n

Newly-acquired Alex Bregman<\/a>, rising star Pete Crow-Armstrong, and All-Star Matthew Boyd are representing the United States. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki is representing his home country of Japan. Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon is a part of Canada\u2019s rotation. The return of Javier Assad is beginning with his spot on Mexico\u2019s roster. Catcher Miguel Amaya is representing Panama, and Daniel Palencia is shutting the door for Venezuela.<\/p>\n

Even though the regular season has not begun, \u201cmeaningful\u201d baseball is back in our lives. Our Cubs aren\u2019t just involved, either. They are making an impact.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Seiya Suzuki Aiding Japan\u2019s Dominance; Javier Assad is Back<\/p>\n

Early Saturday morning, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki crushed two home runs in front of his home crowd in Tokyo. Suzuki is batting .333 thus far in the Classic as part of Japan\u2019s lineup. With superstar Shohei Ohtani serving as their captain, Japan is a favorite to win the tournament. Suzuki\u2019s contributions are a big reason for that.<\/p>\n

Story continues below.<\/p>\n

More Sports News<\/p>\n

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Javier Assad made his return to meaningful baseball with a dominant performance for Mexico. He was on the bump for Mexico\u2019s first game in the tournament against Great Britain. After 3.2 innings pitched, Assad gave up just two hits and struck out two. Assad is on track to return to the Cubs as an important insurance starter and long reliever out of the bullpen.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Daniel Palencia Proving His Cubs Worth By Pitching in WBC<\/p>\n

Last summer, the Cubs used their fancy flashing lights atop Wrigley during play for the first time when Daniel Palencia came to the mound in the ninth to close the game. It did not quite go as smoothly or easily as planned, but he still got the save and won the game for the Cubs. Since that moment, he\u2019s been behind the figurative 8-ball with questions of him being the correct man for the job.<\/p>\n

What he did on Friday afternoon certainly helped his case. Palencia touched 100 on the radar gun and made quick work of Great Britain. While the game was too far out of reach to count as a save, Palencia will certainly take the rep and result earned.<\/p>\n

Palencia is the frontrunner to be the Cubs\u2019 closer going into 2026. However, manager Craig Counsell likes to keep things fluid in the bullpen. He has never been shy about going with the hot hand over the status quo whenever needed.<\/p>\n

Cubs of Past and Present Spark the Stars and Stripes<\/p>\n

The roster of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic is being compared to the Dream Team of NBA players in the 1992 Olympics. Whether that is a fair comparison or not, America is stacked with All-Stars that make up a dominant force in the World Baseball Classic. Three current Chicago Cubs are a part of that, and one notable former friend of ours.<\/p>\n

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth against Great Britain, Pete Crow-Armstrong sparked the beginning of a rally with a double down the first-base line. After a wild pitch brought home Team USA\u2019s first run and sent PCA to third, 2016 World Series Champion Kyle Schwarber took matters into his own hands to open the floodgates.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

New Cub Alex Bregman followed that home run with a double of his own down the third base line. The USA scored nine unanswered and won the game 9-1.<\/p>\n

Pete Crow-Armstrong, to Kyle Schwarber, to Alex Bregman. Could you imagine that lineup on the North Side of Chicago?<\/p>\n