San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will take the ball in his first start for Team USA in its World Baseball Classic opener against Brazil.
For the San Francisco Giants, the World Baseball Classic will open with a familiar face on the mound.
As first reported by Maria Guardado of MLB.com, who covers the Giants, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced Monday that Logan Webb will start the Americans’ first game of pool play against Brazil on Friday at Daikin Park in Houston.
The decision to hand Webb the ball in the opener underscores his standing as one of the premier starters in the game. It also places the Giants’ ace at the forefront of a roster loaded with All-Star talent.
Webb will be followed in the rotation by Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Nolan McLean.
Between Webb, Skubal, and Skenes, Team USA features a trio that has combined for three Cy Young Awards and six All-Star appearances, marking one of the most accomplished rotations the United States has assembled for the tournament.
“They change the game for us, no question about it,” DeRosa said. “That’s no disrespect to the other guys. First off, you want the guys who want to be in the room. If you get them on the phone and they’re kind of wanting to walk through everything and have their schedule laid out for them, this is not the tournament for them.
“I think for me, it was just honest conversations with guys throughout the year," DeRosa continued. "Skenes was easy. Skubal was a slow play. Logan, I tried to get in ‘23, and he got a contract extension that offseason. Everybody has their different story about why they’re on this team.”
Unlike Skubal, who is expected to make just one start before returning to Detroit Tigers camp, Webb has indicated he plans to remain with Team USA for the duration of the tournament as the Americans chase their first WBC title since 2017.
Webb’s selection to start the opener not only highlights his role as the Giants’ unquestioned ace but also positions him as the tone-setter for Team USA on the international stage.
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