What is the story about?
Happy Sunday everybody! This morning I will be on the way down to Phoenix for a few days of Phoenix sunshine and Spring Training baseball! My phone battery is going to get worked to within an inch of its life trying to stream as much WBC as possible. Really looking forward to seeing the result of the Australia-Japan game when I wake up in the morning (I will NOT be waking up for this one). After last night’s wild Chinese Taipei-Korea game, Pool C looks like it’s the most open group in the tournament.
Which two teams do you think are moving on from Pool C?
In Mariners news…
- Mariners legend James Paxton has put his Major League career firmly in the rearview, but is committed to giving everything he can to Team Canada.
- Shannon Drayer met up with Adam Bernero, the Mariners mental performance coach, to learn about how he gets the best out of the players.
In the World Baseball Classic…
- The highlight of an incredible day of tournament baseball was this absolutely electric walk-off homerun by Puerto Rico’s Darell Hernáiz in front of the home crowd in San Juan.
- Hernaiz’ walk-off was the second of the day, and only the second walk-off homerun in the history of the World Baseball Classic, because Ozzie Albies hit a walk-off three-run homerun for the Netherlands to beat Nicaragua just a few hours before.
- Team Italy appears to be rather blatantly making use of PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drip).
- Luis Arraez slugging .200 points higher in WBC games than he does in across his MLB career is so awesome.
Around the league…
- Tarik Skubal revealed that the Tigers have not approached him with a contract offer, something I could’ve told you based on the totality of the Tigers 2025 offseason processes.
- Red Sox infielder Romy González may miss a significant portion of the 2026 season due to persistent pain in his left shoulder.
- The Angels are very optimistic that Lucas Ramírez’ WBC success will lead to a successful minor league season.
- Tim Kurkijan was forced to remember one of his all-time worst takes, and couldn’t even think of anything believable to blame.
