It’s not exactly sweater weather down in Miami this week. But don’t tell that to Team USA and the duds they will don at LoanDepot Park ahead of the World Baseball Classic finale.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted on X on Tuesday that Mark DeRosa’s men will rock game-worn U.S. Olympic hockey sweaters to the championship game.
Team USA will take the field to face Venezuela just a little less than a month after their hockey counterparts took to the ice to face Canada in the gold medal game in Milan, Italy. Jack Hughes scored the golden goal to lift the U.S. to a 2-1 overtime victory.
Passan notes that Hughes and MLB centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are partners with Fanatics, who delivered the sweaters to Team USA on Tuesday.
Team USA’s Odds Ahead of the WBC Championship
The U.S. entered the WBC as the odds-on favorites to win the tournament -110, according to BetMGM. The Stars and Stripes got their first WB win in 2017, defeating Puerto Rico 8-0 at Dodgers Stadium.
Team USA briefly fell out of favor at sportsbooks when they were upset 8-6 by Italy in the pool round and almost didn’t advance to the knockout stage. Italy dominated Mexico 9-1 the following day, and the tiebreaker rules allowed the Americans to advance.
“You’re welcome, U.S.A.,” said Italy’s Vinnie Pasquantino, who plays first base for the Kansas City Royals. “We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys. So I’m glad you could join us in the party.” The Azzuri had become fan favorites in the competition due to their dugout antics, but were upset 4-2 by Venezuela in the semifinal game on Monday.
Meanwhile, the U.S. went on to defeat Canada 5-3 in the quarterfinals and stymie the Dominican Republic’s hot offense for a 2-1 semifinal victory.
Now, the Americans are -280 moneyline favorites at DraftKings to win the WBC final. Venezuela, which also upset reigning WBC champion Japan, is the +220 underdog. The over-under for total runs scored is 9.
Will Team USA win the WBC?
The Red, White, and Blue is touted for its stacked batting lineup, which is peppered with longball hitters like Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, and Aaron Judge. However, defense has been a big key for them in this tournament. (Think of some of the crazy plays Bobby Witt Jr. has made.)
Passan tells ESPN that going yard will be a huge key to backing up starting pitcher Nolan McLean for the Americans in the finale.
“Team USA needs to hit,” he writes. “… It is here because of its pitching and spectacular defense more than the offense that was supposed to stack up with the Dominican Republic. Get ahead early, and even if U.S. manager Mark DeRosa is limited in his bullpen options, the surfeit of American arms will be difficult even for a lineup as deep as Venezuela’s to handle.”
And who should be the MVP if the U.S. does indeed win?
“Bobby Witt Jr. has done just about everything this WBC,” Passan writes. “… What he hasn’t done in this WBC is hit a home run, and taking [Venezuela pitcher] Eduardo Rodriguez deep early in the game would serve as a reminder that the full Bobby Witt Jr. experience is something to behold.”
The World Baseball Classic championship game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET.
Jack Hughes Helps Team USA Send Bold Message Before WBC Final