Team USA Knows Texas Rangers Starter Well Going Into WBC Quarterfinal
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa heads into Saturday night’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against Venezuela with a better feel for the opposing starting pitcher.
The Americans certainly know Texas Rangers All-Star Martín Pérez, who is taking the hill for the 6 p.m. CT start at Loan Depot Park in Miami.
“I do feel like with regards to Great Britain and with regards to Colombia, there was some unknown with the pitching, facing the pitching,” DeRosa said, referring to the two recent Team USA foes. “Just listening to the hitters trying to formulate a game plan and what's this guy got and watching him warm up.
“I think that changes with a guy like Martín Pérez on the mound for Venezuela. There’s a lot of guys that have seen him in the Big Leagues.”
Pérez started and dominated in Venezuela’s WBC opener, a 5-1 win over the Dominican Republic. He returns after a week’s rest to face a vaunted Team USA lineup that includes the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout, Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts and St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt.
Venezuela is stacked, too, boosting a star-studded roster that features the Houston Astros' José Altuve, Miami Marlins' Luis Arráez and Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr.
On the mound for Team USA is Lance Lynn, who pitched for the Rangers from 2019-20 before being traded to the Chicago White Sox.
“There’s probably a ton of guys in that Venezuela lineup that have seen Lance,” DeRosa said. “So I do feel that familiarity breeds almost a little bit more relaxation within the team."
The Rangers connections don’t end with the starting pitchers. DeRosa played for Texas from 2005-06 and Rangers legend Michael Young is on his coaching staff.
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