Why Tariq Skubal doesn’t appear in more WBC matches for the United States
Tariq Skubal explained to the media why he decided not to pitch in a future World Baseball Classic game, despite the camaraderie between him and his American teammates.
The United States and Mexico will face off on Monday night at Daikin Park in Houston. The undefeated World Baseball Classic could be the key to determining the winner of Pool B.
The U.S. national team defeated Brazil and Great Britain in their first two matches and will aim to get revenge on rival Mexico, who lost to the U.S. team in the 2023 tournament. The Mexican has a history of success against Team USA in the WBC, winning three of their last four meetings.
Paul Skeens will start for the United States, marking the former Air Force cadet’s WBC debut. Manager Mark DeRosa used the same lineup he used in the opening game against Brazil, returning Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to shortstop and controlling leadoff.
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Where to watch USA Baseball vs. Mexico WBC tonight
- time: 8pm ET
- tv channels: fox
- live stream: FoxSports.com // Fubo
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Jalen Duran hit a solo homer over right field against Matthew Boyd in the top of the 8th inning, and the Red Sox outfielder had already hit a deep base two innings earlier. The Mexicans cut their 5-0 lead to two points.
Boyd struck out Randy Arozarena to tie the game, but struck out Jonathan Aranda and was relieved by Griffin Jacks with one out. The Jacks had All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk hit a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat and Team USA took the lead going into the ninth inning.
Childhood friends Jonathan Aranda and Alejandro Kirk each singled with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, and Aranda scored on an RBI hit by Joey Meneses to extend the American lead to one more run.
Matthew Boyd pitched in the sixth inning for Team USA and allowed a solo home run to Jalen Duran, a line drive that went into the Crawford box porch in the left field seats.
Paul Skeens took the mound in the fourth inning and, with the help of some great defense from shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., avoided Jonathan Aranda’s single.
Skeens threw 60 pitches, had seven strikeouts, allowed one hit, and gave up one walk.
After Aaron Judge’s two-run homer put the Americans ahead, Kyle Schwarber singled and Cal Lowry was hit by a pitch. Roman Anthony hit a three-run shot to the right of Jesus Cruz to make the game 5-0.
It was a nightmarish game for Cruz, giving up five runs on four hits and only one out while striking out batters.
After Bryce Harper’s single, U.S. captain Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer to the opposite field to take the lead, giving the Americans a 2-0 lead. Judge also hit a home run in the US Army’s opening game against Brazil.
Judge’s game-winning home run came just after his outfield assist ended the top of the third inning, striking out Joey Ortiz as he attempted to advance to third base with a single to right.
Paul Skeens appeared to be finishing his third perfect inning, but a throwing error by Bryce Turan extended the inning and Joey Ortiz became Mexico’s first runner of the night. Jalen Duran singled to right field, but Aaron Judge threw Ortiz away as he tried to advance to third base to end the inning.
Skeens threw 45 pitches and had five strikeouts in three scoreless innings.
In the bottom of the second inning, Team USA’s Bryce Turan, along with first baseman Roman Anthony, hit a one-out double into the right field corner. Anthony tried to score with Turan’s third double in two games, but Jalen Duran relayed a throw to second baseman Nick Gonzalez, who flew home and Alejandro Kirk caught Anthony with a timely hit. Bobby Witt Jr. lined out to center field and placed Turan at second base.
Team USA’s starting pitcher retired all six Mexican batters he has faced so far, striking out three on 30 pitches.
Former NBA MVP Kevin Durant is also a fan of the National League Cy Young player.
Manny Barreda had two outs and the bases loaded after a single by Aaron Judge and walks by Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman, but he struck out Cal Raleigh and escaped the bottom of the first inning.
After the United States conceded a run in the first inning of each of the first two WBC games, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skeens beat out Mexico to start Monday’s game.
The former Air Force cadet struck out Jalen Duran, grounded out Randy Arozarena to third base, and left fielder Roman Anthony made a nice play on a foul fly to put it on target.
Starting pitcher: RHP Paul Skeens
- Bobby Witt Jr. – SS
- Bryce Harper – 1B
- Aaron Judge – RF
- Kyle Schwarber – DH
- Alex Bregman – 3B
- Cal Lowry – C
- Roman Anthony – LF
- Byron Buxton – CF
- Bryce Turan – 2B
- Jalen Duran – RF
- Randy Arozarena – LF
- Jonathan Aranda – 1B
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Rowdy Telles – DH
- Nacho Alvarez Jr. – 3B
- Nick Gonzalez – 2B
- Alec Thomas – CF
- Joey Ortiz – SS
- USA 2-0
- Mexico 2-0
- Italy 2-0
- UK 1-3
- Brazil 0-4
Brazil/UK defeated
HOUSTON — Tariq Skubal will leave Team USA on Tuesday to rejoin the Lakeland, Fla., Tigers, but he will only return as their biggest cheerleader if they reach the semifinals and finals in Miami.
“Obviously, coming here, my emotions changed a little bit. My thought process changed a little bit. I tried to make it work, but I just couldn’t.”
“i hate it.”
Asked if he was happy with the decision, he shook his head.
“No, not yet. The only way I can feel at ease is after we win the (expletive) everything in Miami. It’s a tough decision, you know, tough. Really tough. I’ve been working hard to make it work.”
“I love America. I love our country. I love everything about this tournament.”
– Bob Nightengale
HOUSTON — “It’s going to be crazy loud,” Mexican first baseman Rowdy Telles says. Mexican fans and US fans had high energy and both were anticipating this match. It’s going to be great. Follow all MLB games: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedule and standings.
“Really, this is what we’ve all been waiting for since the last time we played.”
In 2023, Mexico defeated the United States 11-5 en route to the semifinals and almost eliminated Japan from the semifinals with three outs. They were the team that was supposed to play America in the championship game, and the matchup between Shohi Ohtani and Mike Trout did not exist.
– Bob Nightengale
catcher
- Cal Lowry (Mariners)
- Will Smith (Dodgers)
infielder
- bryce harper (1B, Phillies)
- paul goldschmidt (1B, Yankees)
- Bryce Turan (2B, Brewers)
- alex bregman (3B, Cubs)
- bobby witt jr. (SS, Royals)
- Gunnar Henderson (SS, Orioles)
- Ernie Clement (UTIL, Blue Jays)
outfielder
- aaron judge (Yankees, captain)
- corbin carroll (Diamondbacks)
- pete crow armstrong (Cubs)
- byron buxton (twins)
- roman anthony (Red Sox)
- Kyle Schwarber (Phillies)
pitcher
- Logan Webb (giant)
- Purskvar (Tigers)
- Paul Skeens (Pirate)
- nolan mclean (Mets)
- clay holmes (Mets)
- michael wacha (Royals)
- Matthew Boyd (Cubs)
- mason miller (parents)
- david bednar (Yankees)
- clayton kershaw (retirement)
- griffin jacks (ray)
- Garrett Whitlock (Red Sox)
- Ryan Yarbrough (Yankees)
- Gabe Speer (Mariners)
- Garrett Cleavinger (ray)
- brad keller (Phillies)
- March 9: Mexico vs. USA
- March 10: Italy vs. USA
- March 11: Italy vs. Mexico
Selecting Championship Game and Tournament MVP
- bob nightengale: USA vs. Japan / Aaron Judge MVP
- Gabe Lux: America from Japan / Shohei Otani
- Jesse Yomtov: Japan over USA / Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- steve gardner: USA vs. Dominican Republic / Bobby Witt Jr.
