SF Giants’ Webb to start Team USA’s first pool play game of World Baseball Classic

GLENDALE, Arizona — Team USA manager Mark DeRosa told reporters on Monday afternoon that two-time All-Star Logan Webb will start the United States’ first game of pool play against Team Brazil on Friday.

Following Webb, two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will start against Great Britain on Saturday, while 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes will face Mexico on March 9. Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean is scheduled to face Italy on March 10, but he’s currently under the weather.

Additionally, Skenes will pitch for Team USA on Tuesday when the Giants host the Americans at Scottsdale Stadium in a pre-WBC exhibition game. Along with Skenes, Griffin Jax, Matthew Boyd, David Bednar and Mason Miller are scheduled to pitch on Tuesday as well.

Blade Tidwell, who has impressed early this spring, is slated to throw multiple innings against Team USA. DeRosa has yet to announce his star-studded lineup, but it could look like this:

1. SS Bobby Witt Jr.

2. RF Aaron Judge

3. DH Kyle Schwarber

4. C Cal Raleigh

5. 1B Bryce Harper

6. CF Byron Buxton

7. 3B Alex Bregman

8. LF Roman Anthony

9. 2B Brice Turang

Team USA is participating in Pool B, which also features Brazil, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. The games will be held at Daikin Park, the home of the Houston Astros.

The Giants’ lineup won’t be at full strength against Team USA since Heliot Ramos (Puerto Rico) and Jung Hoo Lee (Korea) have already left camp for the WBC. Harrison Bader (right thumb contusion) and Rafael Devers (left hamstring tightness) are dealing with injuries as well, but shortstop Willy Adames, third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Patrick Bailey are expected to play.

Webb, 29, was sharp leading up to the World Baseball Classic, pitching two perfect innings against the Los Angeles Angels then tossing three innings of one-run ball versus the San Diego Padres.

This will mark Webb’s first time participating in the tournament. Webb was originally slated to pitch for Team USA in 2023, but ultimately elected to remain in camp. The following April, Webb signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension.