In April, the United States national baseball team will face Japan in a three-game series, offering a crucial opportunity for the team to hone its skills ahead of future competitions. This series will allow the USA to evaluate its roster and strategies against a top-tier international opponent.
Team USA is gearing up for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), scheduled to take place from March 5 to 17. The WBC is an international tournament featuring 20 national baseball teams. The pool play rounds will occur in Miami, Florida; Houston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Tokyo, Japan. The quarterfinals will be held in Miami and Houston, while the semi-finals and final will be played in Miami. Japan is the defending champion, having defeated the United States in the 2023 WBC championship game.
Friendly preparation games are scheduled between November 2025 and March 2026 to prepare for the tournament. In November 2025, South Korea played two games against Czechia and two games against Japan. Japan also has scheduled games in Miyazaki and at Nagoya Dome with Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Chunichi Dragons respectively.
The USA's roster includes several MLB stars. Aaron Judge was named captain of the U.S.’s 2026 WBC team in April 2025. Other players who have committed to the team include Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, home run champion Cal Raleigh, and All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.. Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong also committed to joining the team. Additional players committed to Team USA are Kyle Schwarber, Brice Turang, Gunnar Henderson and Will Smith. Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes and Joe Ryan have also committed to the roster, as have Tarik Skubal, Mason Miller, Logan Webb, David Bednar, Bryce Harper and Byron Buxton. Mark DeRosa will manage Team USA, with Andy Pettitte as Pitching Coach, Matt Holliday as Hitting Coach, George Lombard as First Base Coach, Dino Ebel as Third Base Coach, David Ross as Bullpen Coach, Fredi González and Brian McCann as Assistant Managers, and Michael Young as Assistant Manager.
The upcoming series against Japan in April serves as a vital opportunity for Team USA to fine-tune their strategies and player combinations. Facing Japan, a baseball powerhouse and the defending WBC champion, will provide a realistic assessment of the team's strengths and weaknesses. It is a chance for players to prove themselves and solidify their positions before the WBC.
