Several Cubs will suit up in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, setting up potential teammate showdowns — and Seiya Suzuki is already joking about facing Pete Crow-Armstrong on the international stage.
There’s a level of pageantry and pride that makes every World Baseball Classic special.
Watching the best players in baseball represent their home countries in head-to-head matchups is fun for fans everywhere. It’s the perfect tune-up before the MLB regular season, and it undeniably helps grow the game.
Possibly the best part of each WBC is seeing MLB superstars playing as teammates with some of their current rivals — and being rivals with some of their current teammates.
Has there ever been anything more captivating than the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game coming down to Shohei Ohtani on the mound facing Mike Trout when both were with the Los Angeles Angels at the time?
Chicago Cubs fans may get a few of those moments during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
There are a ton of Cubs players set to participate in the upcoming WBC.
Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, third baseman Alex Bregman, and starting pitcher Matthew Boyd will all represent Team USA.
Jameson Taillon will be in the starting rotation for Team Canada.
Seiya Suzuki is in the lineup for Team Japan, the defending champion.
Right-handed pitcher Javier Assad (Mexico), catcher Miguel Amaya (Panama), and closer Daniel Palencia (Venezuela) will also be in on the action representing their respective countries.
There will also be a few Cubs prospects in the mix, including first baseman Jonathon Long (Cubs No. 6) with Team Chinese Taipei.
So, as I said, there will be plenty of opportunities for Cubs fans to watch some Cub-on-Cub crime — and that’s already a talking point in Spring Training at Sloan Park.
When asked about the possibility of taking on his teammate and fellow outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong on the World Baseball Classic stage, Seiya Suzuki cracked a joke at PCA’s expense.
“I want to see Pete throw a helmet,” Suzuki said, responding to the question about facing his Cubs teammate from ESPN'S Jesse Rogers.
That’s exactly what the World Baseball Classic is all about: friendly rivalry and some of baseball’s brightest stars shining on the same global stage.
Cubs fans will have plenty to tune in for during the WBC — and Pete Crow-Armstrong is certainly one of them.
But of course, if he’s throwing a helmet, let’s hope it’s in celebration after a huge home run for Team USA.
The first game for Team USA will be in Houston, Texas against Term Great Britain on Saturday, March 7. First pitch is set for 7pm CST.