The Americans have the opportunity to knock off the Canadians for the third time in a matter of weeks. After both men’s and women’s hockey teams bested our neighbors to the north, the baseball team will look to do so Friday night in the World Baseball Classic.
Manager Mark DeRosa nearly cost Team USA a chance to advance beyond the knockout round, when he sent a watered down lineup out vs Italy and didn’t seem to know whether the Americans had already clinched their spot in the knockout round..
But thanks to Team Italy’s convincing win over Mexico, Team USA advanced as one of eight teams to the elimination phase of the 2026 WBC, and their first challenge is Canada.
MN Twins won’t see Byron Buxton in quarterfinals
Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton was the starter in centerfield for Team USA in game one against Brazil. He sat in games two (Great Britain) and four (Italy) though.. With elimination on the line tonight, Buxton is on the bench, in favor of Cubs Gold Glove winner, Pete Crow Armstrong.
Tonight’s starting lineup against Canada ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2Avjv87ySK
— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 13, 2026
The Minnesota Twins were given assurances by Team USA that Buxton would either be in center field or at designated hitter, when he’s the lineup. Given Kyle Schwarber’s presence at DH, Buck has no real path to DH, especially since he is has made it so that no other player has been used as the designated hitter.
So with Buxton struggling (0-for-5, 1 BB, 2 K) and Crow-Armstrong is 3-for-10, 2 HR. 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K), it’s difficult to keep Buxton in the lineup, which is why PCA is getting the nod tonight, over Byron.
Team USA has life!
Pete Crow-Armstrong goes YARD to cut Italy’s lead to 4.
Even if USA doesn’t win, these runs are monumental for the tie-breaker.#WorldBaseballClassic
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) March 11, 2026
It’s unlikely that Team USA is eliminated by Canada on Friday, so Buxton should get another chance to start. He’s also a candidate to run if the situation presents itself. Then again, the squad has to put up a much better effort than the showed in the 8-6 loss against Italy.
If Team USA advances, they are likely to play the Dominican Republic with Paul Skenes on the mound. A championship rematch with Japan or Puerto Rico, featured in the past two tournaments, would likely be started by Joe Ryan.
More must-reads:
- MN Twins Starter Changes WBC Plan Again
- Team USA Calls on MN Twins Pitcher for WBC – Could Start Championship Game
- MN Twins Cut Two 1st Round Prospects from Big League Camp
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