Logan Webb to Lead Team USA in World Baseball Classic Opener

San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb will take the mound as Team USA’s starting pitcher in their first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic against Brazil on Friday, March 6, manager Mark DeRosa announced Monday. This marks Webb’s debut with Team USA .

Rotation Set for Pool Play

The United States has announced its starting rotation for the first four games of pool play. Following Webb’s start, Tarik Skubal, the American League Cy Young Award winner, is scheduled to pitch against Great Britain on Saturday, March 7. National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes will follow, facing Mexico on Monday, March 9.

Nolan McLean, a right-hander from the New York Mets, is tentatively slated to start against Italy on Tuesday, March 10, but his participation is uncertain as he is currently battling a cold and was not present at Team USA’s practice on Monday .

Pitching Plans and Considerations

DeRosa noted that there are pitch count limitations for the tournament, as well as considerations for pitchers needing to be prepared for their respective teams’ Opening Day schedules . Skubal is expected to make only one start for Team USA before rejoining the Detroit Tigers for the remainder of spring training .

Team Preparations

Team USA held its first workout in Arizona on Sunday and will play two exhibition games on Tuesday and Wednesday before traveling to Houston for the World Baseball Classic opener . Skenes is scheduled to start Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Giants. Other pitchers expected to take the mound during the exhibition games include Matthew Boyd, Gabe Speier, David Bednar, Griffin Jax, and Mason Miller .

Webb’s Career Highlights

Logan Webb, a two-time All-Star, has a career record of 70-53 with a 3.38 ERA in over 1,000 innings pitched. He debuted with the San Francisco Giants in 2019 and had a standout season in 2021, posting a 3.03 ERA with 158 strikeouts in 148.1 innings .