The World Baseball Classic starts on March 5, and the Dominican Republic will be looking to make it out of the first round after failing to do so in 2023.
The Dominican Republic went 2-2 in pool play in the last World Baseball Classic and failed to qualify for the second round. This year, the legendary Albert Pujols is managing the squad and announced how his starting rotation will look in the first round.
- Cristopher Sánchez vs. Nicaragua
- Luis Severino vs. Netherlands
- Brayan Bello vs. Israel
- Sandy Alcántara vs. Venezuela
With Venezuela and the Dominican Republic going into the group as favorites to advance, Pujols has the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner slated to take the mound.
Sánchez and Severino are both All-Star pitchers who will play a key role for the Dominican Republic as well. Sánchez had a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts for the Philadelphia Phillies last season. He was an All-Star in 2024, but was snubbed last year.
Severino had a 4.54 ERA last season, but his numbers away from the Athletics’ temporary home stadium are much better. Severino was very vocal about how much he disliked pitching at Sutter Health Park. He had a 6.01 ERA at home, but a 3.02 ERA in 14 road starts.
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