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Pretty much everything has gone according to plan for Team USA through three games in the World Baseball Classic. With a win tonight versus Italy (9 p.m. ET on FS1), the Americans would run their record to 4-0 and clinch the top seed in Pool B, setting up a date in the quarterfinals with the Pool A runner-up.

Even with a loss, the Americans could still claim the top seed in their pool if Italy (2-0) loses on Wednesday against Mexico, which would create a three-way tie atop the standings that would be sorted out via tiebreakers. But Team USA would like not to leave anything up to chance.

Outside of some early offensive sluggishness versus Great Britain on Saturday, the USA has coasted through the Classic thus far. It has outscored opponents 29-9 while its starting pitchers -- Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes -- permitted two earned runs on four hits and recorded 18 strikeouts in 11 combined innings.

Tonight, manager Mark DeRosa will hand the ball first to Mets young right-hander Nolan McLean. The 24-year-old had a splendid big league debut in 2025, logging a 2.06 ERA through 48 innings (eight starts). He will be supported by a lineup that scored 15 runs versus Brazil, found its groove in the middle innings against Great Britain and slugged a couple of homers in Monday’s thrilling win over Mexico.

Team captain Aaron Judge has hit two of the Americans' four homers in the tournament, and he came through on defense as well versus Mexico. Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony provided a majestic three-run shot during the win, and he, Judge and Schwarber all have OPS marks north of 1.100 through three games.

Italy starting pitcher and 11-year MLB veteran Michael Lorenzen will certainly have his hands full trying to tame that lineup. But the Italians’ offense has been potent in its own right. They have five home runs through two games, which means the espresso maker in their dugout has been mighty active. Italy owns a 1.140 team OPS despite an 0-for-7 start to the tourney from star first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Dante Nori, the Phillies’ No. 7 prospect, has picked up the slack with five hits and two dingers through his first seven at-bats.

If Italy beats the USA and Mexico, it would earn the No. 1 seed in Pool B while the Americans would be the runners-up. So, there is a lot at stake this evening.

There is another pivotal WBC game tonight: Canada (1-1) facing Puerto Rico (3-0) in Hiram Bithorn Stadium at 7 p.m. on Tubi. The Puerto Ricans can sew up the top spot in Pool A with a win, while Canada needs a win to maintain a shot at the top seed, though they'll still need to beat Cuba on Wednesday to ensure they will advance to the quarterfinals.

However, the main event will be in Houston, with the top spot in Pool B on the line. The equation is simple for the USA: Win and you're on to the next round. But that’s easier said than done versus Italy.

-- Brian Murphy

It might be easy to forget amid all the thrills of the World Baseball Classic, but Spring Training is still in full swing. Here are some of the best stories to come out of Arizona and Florida over the past week:

• When you're the 19-year-old No. 1 prospect in baseball, you might miss some everyday life lessons along the way. Enter the roommate.

• Orioles prospect Vance Honeycutt went on an absurd run of homers in four straight at-bats.

• How much does 41-year-old Max Scherzer have left in the tank? Maybe four no-hit innings can help answer that question.

• With a national audience watching on ESPN, Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. greeted Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet with a monster leadoff home run.

• Craig Counsell was excited his son Brady, a D-backs prospect, was set to play against the Cubs, even if he was the last to know about it.

One of the things we love most about the World Baseball Classic is that everyone brings their absolute best while they represent their heritage. The passion, intensity and skill demonstrated by the finest players in the world has been inspiring throughout Pool Play. 

That said, for our purposes in this section of the newsletter, what we’re actually referring to is the quality of their gear. If you’re a baseball style nut – like we are – then this is absolutely your event. We’ve been collecting our favorite cleats, gloves and bats right here, and we’ll be continuing to do that throughout the Classic. 

For now though, here are three notable picks from Pool Play, as seen above:

Shohei Ohtani, Japan colorway of SO1

Ohtani has been notably conservative with his first signature cleats, either using a white/black and gold motif or Dodger blue, so it’s fun to see him branch out a bit.

Bobby Witt Jr., custom Team USA bat

The Royals dynamo has opened eyes with his Gold Glove defense, and his bat is just as sharp. We mean the literal bat, though he entered Tuesday hitting .333 with three steals.

Jazz Chisholm Jr., Union Jack glove
Knowing what we do about how Jazz usually rolls – he’s known to design his own cleats, for example – we had high expectations. And to be certain, he absolutely exceeded them with both his amazing glove and a host of custom Air Jordans.

– Bryan Horowitz

If last year is any indication, tickets for the Pirates' home game on April 18 are going to be some of the hottest of the season. The reason is simple: All fans in attendance will take home a limited edition Paul Skenes Cy Young Bobblehead. 

To be sure, every start by the Team USA ace, coming off four scoreless innings in a 5-3 victory over Mexico last night, is a can't-miss affair. And while there's no guarantee he'll be on the mound for his giveaway night, the incredible collectible alone will certainly pack the park. So get your tickets before they're gone >>

Put your baseball brain to the test with Daily Walkoff, where you can find 30 brand-new trivia puzzles every day, one for each team. Play Daily Walkoff >>

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