Baseball’s biggest international show is underway, and we’ve got you covered on how to follow along with your favorite representing White Sox players.
Each country will play four pool games, with the top two resulting teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Play kicked off on Wednesday night, with the quarterfinals and onward scheduled for Friday, March 13, through the final on Tuesday, March 17.
Here are the team’s representatives and their upcoming schedules!
Kyle Teel (C) & Sam Antonacci (INF) – Team Italy
Being the only team with two players in the Sox organization, the South Side of Chicago is a little extra Italian for the next week or so. Despite a few recognizable MLB names, Team Italy is a long shot to win the World Baseball Classic at +8000 on DraftKings.
Kyle Teel started for Italy at catcher in their exhibition win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, smacking a two-run homer in the process. Antonacci didn’t start but came in at second base behind David Berti and notched a sacrifice fly.
Teel is a lock to start at catcher, while time will tell if Antonacci can snatch more playing time.
Team Italy’s Schedule*
- Saturday, March 7 vs. Brazil @ 12:00 PM CT
- Sunday, March 8 vs. Great Britain @ 12:00 PM CT
- Tuesday, March 10 vs. USA @ 8:00 PM CT
- Wednesday, March 11 vs. Brazil — @ 6:00 PM CT
* All games held at Dalkin Park in Houston, Texas
Munetaka Murakami (1B) — Team Japan
Murakami, the Sox’s high-profile offseason acquisition, is coming off a rousing 2023 WBC performance that featured a walk-off double in the semifinal against Mexico and a clutch game-tying bomb in the final against the United States. Despite being the reigning champions, Japan are second in betting odds behind the USA at +350.
He didn’t make any noise at the plate in Team Japan’s two exhibition games vs. native NPB teams, but batted cleanup as a first baseman in both contests.
Team Japan’s Schedule*
- Friday, March 6 vs. Chinese Taipei @ 4:00 AM CT
- Saturday, March 7 vs. South Korea @ 4:00 AM CT
- Sunday, March 8 vs. Australia @ 5:00 AM CT
- Tuesday, March 10 vs. Czechia — @ 5:00 AM CT
*All games held at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
Curtis Mead (3B) – Team Australia
Acquired at last season’s trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the return for SP Adrian Houser, Mead is one of the top hitters in Australia’s lineup. Like Italy, the team from down under is a huge long shot in the WBC with 250-1 winning odds.
In their Monday tune-up vs the Tokyo Giants in Miyazaki, Japan, Mead finished hitless in the two-hole as the team’s third baseman. He had some better luck in the WBC’s opening game, recording the first hit of this year’s tournament in a 2-for-4 performance.
Schedule
- Wednesday, March 4 vs. Chinese Taipei @ 9:00 PM CT
- Thursday, March 5 vs. Czechia @ 9:00 PM CT
- Sunday, March 8 vs. Japan @ 5:00 AM CT
- Monday, March 9 vs. South Korea — @ 5:00 AM CT
* All games held at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
Seranthony Dominguez (RHP) – Team Dominican Republic
Fresh off a productive age-30 season with Toronto, Dominguez signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the White Sox in January. An established veteran reliever at this point, Dominguez will likely get high-profile innings with the talented DR over the course of the tournament, as they boast +400 odds and look to improve upon their lackluster 2023 showing.
Team DR’s Schedule*
- Friday, March 6 vs. Nicaragua @ 6:00 PM CT
- Sunday, March 8 vs. Netherlands @ 11:00 AM CT
- Monday, March 9 vs. Israel @ 11:00 AM CT
- Wednesday, March 11 vs. Venezuela — @ 7:00 PM CT
*All games held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL
Alexei Ramirez (INF) – Team Cuba
Yes, that Alexei Ramirez. The 44-year-old needs no introduction to White Sox fans, so I’ll skip that portion.
Brought on as a veteran presence in the dugout for Team Cuba, Ramirez won’t start, but should he see the field, he would be the oldest player to compete in the history of the WBC. Cuba also sports long +8000 odds to capture the title, putting them in the middle of the pack.
Team Cuba’s Schedule*
- Friday, March 6 vs. Panama @ 10:00 AM CT
- Sunday, March 8 vs. Colombia @ 10:00 AM CT
- Monday, March 9 vs. Puerto Rico @ 6:00 PM CT
- Wednesday, March 11 vs. Canada — @ 2:00 PM CT
*All games held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for updates throughout the WBC!
Featured Photo: © MLB.com
If you mentioned Alexei Ramirez, you should also mention former Sox 3B Matt Davidson, playing for Team Canada.