2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C: Who will advance? Teams, schedule, venue, top players
Pool C of the World Baseball Classic will feature defending champions Team USA which boasts an all-MLB-star roster, and newcomer Great Britain.
The World Baseball Classic is about to begin, with the tournament spread out in different parts of the world. Pool C is one group to watch for as it features defending champions and host Team USA, with the games being held in Phoenix, Arizona.
Which teams are competing in Pool C?
The Classic will feature 20 teams for the first time in its history and they will be divided into four groups with five teams each. The two teams with the best scorecard in the pool will advance to the knockout quarterfinal round.
Pool C is composed of the Canada, Colombia, newcomer Great Britain, Mexico, and the United States. All the matches will take place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
When are Pool C’s games taking place?
Pool C’s games will be held from March 11 to 15, 2023.
- March 11, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET: Mexico vs. Colombia
- March 11, Saturday, 9 p.m. ET: United States vs. Great Britain
- March 12, Sunday, 3 p.m. ET: Canada vs. Great Britain
- March 12, Sunday, 10 p.m. ET:United States vs. Mexico
- March 13, Monday, 3 p.m. ET: Great Britain vs. Colombia
- March 13, Monday, 10 p.m. ET: United States vs. Canada
- March 14, Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET: Colombia vs. Canada
- March 14, Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET: Mexico vs. Great Britain
- March 15, Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET: Canada vs. Mexico
- March 15, Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET: Colombia vs. United States
Who are the top players of the Pool C teams?
Canada
First baseman Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers will be playing again for Team Canada after his 2017 appearance. He will be hungry to have a better showing than he did in the last WBC, where he went 2 for 11.
Colombia
Gio Urshela of the Los Angeles Angels is expected to boost the batting capacity of Team Colombia. His skills on the infield will provide the team the flexibility that they need.
Great Britain
Prospective Seattle Mariner Harry Ford is a promising 20-year-old who was a key player in his country’s campaign through the qualifiers. He delivered 11 homers with an .863 OPS in Class A last year.
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Mexico
Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias is pumped to play for Mexico, and is eager to please the Mexican fans. He is coming from a stellar season, going 17-7 with a 2.16 ERA in 175 innings, the best in the league.
United States
The USA boasts an all-MLB team with some of the league’s biggest stars, and team captain Mike Trout is sure to make his participation count. He is joining the tournament for the first time, and much can be expected from the 10-time All-Star and nine-time Silver Slugger awardee.
Which teams will advance?
Team USA is favored to win Pool C, what with having 21 MLB All-Star players and four MVPs to rely on. Despite missing the services of standout pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Nelson Cortes, they are still the team to beat in the group.
Mexico has a World Baseball Classic record that has worsened throughout the years. However, things are looking up this year, and with a lot MLB players on their roster, it looks like they are the second-best team in the pool.
Prediction: United States and Mexico