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The World Baseball Classic is in full swing, as teams have begun playing their exhibition games before they head off to Tokyo, San Juan, Houston or Miami for the next steps of their journey (though Pool C is already in Japan and will begin pool play on Wednesday at 10pm ET/8pm MT).
Team USA boasts a formidable lineup that includes such names as Cal Raleigh, Will Smith, Alex Bregman, Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber. And their pitching rotation features David Bednar, Clayton Kershaw, Mason Miller, Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, among others. This David vs. Goliath matchup will be a true test of the Rockies’ new approach at the plate, in the field and on the mound.
“It’s a higher test for the pitchers and the hitters,” manager Warren Schaeffer said before the game. “But for the hitters specifically, you see guys all the time in spring training — the ‘dudes’ first time through — and the best relievers usually throw over the first five or six innings in a spring training game. So it’s not really that much different, I’d say, today. But you don’t ever see a lineup with Bobby Witt [Jr.], Bryce Harper, [Aaron] Judge, so that’s a little different. And it’ll be a nice test for ‘Free’ for his first time out and whoever else is getting in there today.”
Kyle Freeland will make his spring debut against his former team. Freeland pitched on the 2023 WBC team that lost to Japan in the Finals. He has been dealing with some back spasms all spring, but is ready to go. It will also likely feature the debut of his new-look changeup, a pitch he’s been working to harness his entire career.
Schaeffer is looking for Freeland to have “one inning of healthy pitching, looking forward to build on something today moving forward [in his] first time out.”
Freeland will face Yankees’ left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. The 34-year-old southpaw is making his WBC debut after making 19 appearances (eight starts) in the Bronx in 2025. Yarbrough was signed as a free agent by the Yankees in the 2025 offseason, and posted a 3-1 record and 4.36 ERA. So far in spring training, he has made one appearance where he pitched two innings and gave up just one run on three hits with four strikeouts and a walk against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups:
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