WBC

On the fence about playing for the United States in advance of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Mike Trout took a pass, saw the joy on the American team as ...

At the same time, the Americans know they’re expected to win and baseball can get weird in small samples, and the tournament’s spring build-up timing only amplifies that. Randy Arozarena, Jonathan Aranda, Rowdy Tellez, and Alex Verdugo are the heart of a difficult-to-navigate lineup, while starters Julio Urias, Jose Urquidy, Taijuan Walker, and Patrick Sandoval should give the offence a chance to do its thing. Need to know: The British market is an interesting one for Major League Baseball, which is seeking to establish a real foothold in Europe in an effort to broaden the game’s reach and expand its revenue streams. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs play in London this summer (the Toronto Blue Jays are up for a series there, too, perhaps as soon as next year) and an appearance in the WBC, even if only a happy-to-be-here stay, should help further build interest. Graham Spraker is a former Blue Jays draft pick signed by the Rays to a minor-league deal last month. Either way, the youth on the roster, led by Bo Naylor, Edouard Julien, Denzel Clarke, Owen Caissie, and Mitch Bratt, bodes well for 2026, when the next Classic is expected to be held.