Great Britain vs USA Preview & Prediction | 2026 World Baseball Classic | Pool Stage
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Arguably the best pitcher in the world takes to the mound for USA as Tarik Skubal faces Jazz Chisholm Jr’s Great Britain, who put up an admirable fight against Mexico last time out.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Fox Sports / Japan – Netflix
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – FOX One / Japan – Netflix
Great Britain vs USA prediction
In what is expected to be his sole appearance in this year’s WBC, back-to-back American League CY Young award winner Tarik Skubal starts in USA’s second match of pool play. Skubal is heading into the final year of his contract at the Detroit Tigers and is projected to earn the biggest, most lucrative contract of all time for a starting pitcher next off-season, which explains why the leftie is committing to just one tournament start before re-joining the Tigers ahead of the MLB campaign.
Expected to throw around 55 pitches, that should be more than enough for Skubal to rack up the strikeouts against Great Britain, although USA should be aware that whilst their opponents lost 8-2 to Mexico, they took that game deep with the score at 1-1 heading into the 8th inning after a Harry Ford home run tied things as the British bullpen consistently recorded crucial outs.
Despite this, Team USA know that regardless of who they play, if their batters show up and make hard contact with the baseball, the runs will come their way and they’ll likely come in bulk. The short outfield in left is perfectly suited to Alex Bregman right-hand swing and the former Houston Astros star has hit 106 home runs at Daikin Park across his career. After homering in each of USA’s exhibition matches leading up to the tournament, it’s well worth backing Bregman to do the same here against Team GB in a high-scoring USA triumph.
Great Britain vs USA tip: USA to win with 5.5 run handicap and Alex Bregman to hit a home run
