4 games Red Sox fans can't miss during the World Baseball Classic
March 8th: Puerto Rico @ Boston Red Sox, Lee County, Florida
All 20 countries will start with exhibition tune-up games against non-tournament opponents. Though this matchup between Puerto Rico and the Red Sox will not count towards crowning the eventual WBC champion, it has plenty of intrigue for Red Sox fans.
It is no secret that Red Sox manager Alex Cora takes great pride in being from Puerto Rico. When he was hired, he was just the fourth Puerto Rican to be named a Major League Baseball manager. He often speaks of the importance of his heritage and is an advocate for baseball in the country. When an earthquake devastated the island, Cora led a relief trip to his hometown of Caguas. Next week, he will get to coach against his home country in this exhibition game and this matchup will carry much pride for him.
Team Puerto Rico also includes Red Sox infielders Kiké Hernández and Edwin Díaz. Hernández is coming off a busy offseason where he has embraced a leadership role with the team. On the field, Hernández is transitioning from playing centerfield to shortstop. Red Sox fans may get to see a different look to Hernández besides the position change. There are reports (see below) that team Puerto Rico will be "going blonde for the tournament".
CONFIRMED.
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 28, 2023
Team Puerto Rico is going blonde for the World Baseball Classic! 🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/TeT8Bf8s9m
March 9th: China @ Japan, Tokyo, Japan
When Japan hosts China, Red Sox fan will get their first glimpse of Masataka Yoshida in a game that counts since he signed a 5-year 90M deal with the team this offseason. After arriving at spring training, Yoshida surprised coaches (subscription required) with his power. He has fully embraced the Red Sox culture meeting with several Red Sox legends including Jim Rice and Pedro Martinez. The Red Sox will need big things from Yoshida this season and this will be the first chance for fans to see him in a game that matters.
Masataka Yoshida met Pedro Martínez and he was extremely excited to learn about his changeup, called him a legend. pic.twitter.com/heJq1YOfQB
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) February 25, 2023
Jim Rice coaches Masataka Yoshida on playing balls off the monster at JetBlue Park. #RedSox | #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/KQyJnQ3A5H
— NESN (@NESN) February 23, 2023
Team Japan will also feature megastar Shohei Ohtani whose free agency after this season is already dominating baseball coverage. After he signed an endorsement deal with Boston-based New Balance, Red Sox fans cannot help but dream that this might be a precursor to him signing with the team next off-season. He recently left spring training with the Angels and arrived in Japan in true rockstar fashion.
Shohei Ohtani has officially arrived in Japan for the WBC to a hero’s welcome pic.twitter.com/nhKEwEKEb1
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) March 2, 2023
March 11th: Colombia @ Mexico, Pheonix, Arizona
The matchup between Colombia and Mexico will feature several Red Sox players. Team Colombia features Red Sox catcher Jorge Alfaro and pitcher Rio Gomez. Alfaro has been a Red Sox fan favorite this spring, fueled by his resemblance to Hollywood's Aquaman (Jason Momoa). Fans can catch the Justice Leaguer do battle against Mexico in this matchup, but it is worth noting that he is not expected to be the team's primary catcher.
Aquaman lookalike? New Red Sox catcher Jorge Alfaro bears uncanny resemblance https://t.co/UyLm3kzKml pic.twitter.com/EG5E2tz6FE
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) February 25, 2023
Team Mexico features Red Sox outfielders Alex Verdugo and Jarren Duran. Both players have had a nice start to spring training and will look to carry this over to the WBC. Red Sox manager Alex Cora gave "homework" to all the Red Sox WBC participants to create a presentation about their country. Verdugo and Duran took the prize after they brought a Mariachi band to their presentation.
A Mariachi band is livening up Red Sox camp this morning. Alex Cora had Alex Verdugo and Jarren Duran put together a presentation for Team Mexico for WBC and this was part of it. pic.twitter.com/suTvvvVErx
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) February 27, 2023
March 11th: Dominican Republic @ Venezuela, Miami, Florida
Red Sox fans will get to see Rafael Devers play in his first meaningful game since he became the face of the franchise, signing an 11-year, $331 million contract extension with the team this off-season. In addition to Devers, this game features a stacked Dominican Republic roster that resembles what you would see in an MLB All-Star game.
¡Trabuco! #Venezuela presentará a su constelación de estrellas en Clásico Mundial #WBCxESPN pic.twitter.com/xFZsT7CBZ7
— ESPN Béisbol ⚾️ (@ESPN_Beisbol) February 9, 2017
Team Dominican Republic's #WorldBaseballClassic roster: pic.twitter.com/oFY5igb8F2
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 10, 2023
Additional WBC notes, former Red Sox connections, and how you can watch all the action
This article could not possibly capture all the WBC storylines and here are some miscellaneous notes. Nick Pivetta will not play for Canada after having COVID-19 shortly before spring training started. Kenley Jansen will not initially join the Netherlands as he wants to spend time working on his delivery given the new pitch clock rule.
Speaking of the new rules, the World Baseball Classic will not implement Major League Baseball's recent rule changes including the pitch clock. This will give fans a brief reprieve from the recent changes and a chance to remember how different the game is without them.
Lastly, the Team United States is the defending WBC champion; their roster is loaded with great players, including several former Red Sox players such as Mookie Betts, Kyle Schwarber, Daniel Bard, and Adam Ottavino.
World Baseball Classic fever has taken hold internationally. In addition to the many excellent matchups, the Red Sox will have several players participating and fans should check out these games. Baseball is back.
Games will be broadcast on FOX, FS1, FS2, Tubi, and FOX Deportes. As always, tune into BoSox Injection for ongoing coverage.