Team USA kicks off tonight and looks to defend the 2017 title. This team has a lot more stars then that 2017 team did. Very similar in pitching as this isn’t the best USA has to offer but very solid again like 2017.
Where it differs is the offensive power this lineup should have. Here’s a lineup that could rival an All-Star Game squad:
The position players alone boast 45 All-Star appearances, 32 Silver Slugger Awards and five MVP honors. Manager Mark DeRosa has been effusive in his belief that his lineup, one-through-nine, is nearly impossible to combat. The group is nearly two-deep with stars at every position.
Jason Adam (Rays)
Daniel Bard (Rockies)
David Bednar (Pirates)
Kyle Freeland (Rockies)
Kendall Graveman (White Sox)
Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)
Lance Lynn (White Sox)
Nick Martinez (Padres)
Miles Mikolas (Cardinals)
Adam Ottavino (Mets)
Ryan Pressly (Astros)
Brooks Raley (Mets)
Brady Singer (Royals)
Adam Wainwright (Cardinals)
Devin Williams (Brewers)
J.T. Realmuto (Phillies)
Will Smith (Dodgers)
If that group appears underwhelming relative to what it could be, that's because it is. There's no Max Scherzer or Shane McClanahan or even Spencer Strider. There's no surefire ace type, in other words.
Plenty good enough to win it again. And with this offensive power lineup they will have more then enough help.
The biggest threat to a USA repeat is the Dominican Republic and Japan. As loaded as Team USA is the Dominicans and Japanese are equally if not more loaded then the Americans.
It starts tonight against the Brits at 8pm on Fox. I’ll be rooting on the 6 players that play in the state(two Royals and four Cardinals) and we aren’t going to need the French help on this beat down. Hopefully the British don’t cry to much in there tea and crumpets because this one’s gonna get ugly.
Where it differs is the offensive power this lineup should have. Here’s a lineup that could rival an All-Star Game squad:
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Mike Trout, CF
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Nolan Arenado, 3B
- Kyle Tucker, LF
- Trea Turner, SS
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Jeff McNeil, 2B
The position players alone boast 45 All-Star appearances, 32 Silver Slugger Awards and five MVP honors. Manager Mark DeRosa has been effusive in his belief that his lineup, one-through-nine, is nearly impossible to combat. The group is nearly two-deep with stars at every position.
Team USA pitchers
Jason Adam (Rays)
Daniel Bard (Rockies)
David Bednar (Pirates)
Kyle Freeland (Rockies)
Kendall Graveman (White Sox)
Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)
Lance Lynn (White Sox)
Nick Martinez (Padres)
Miles Mikolas (Cardinals)
Adam Ottavino (Mets)
Ryan Pressly (Astros)
Brooks Raley (Mets)
Brady Singer (Royals)
Adam Wainwright (Cardinals)
Devin Williams (Brewers)
Team USA catchers
Kyle Higashioka (Yankees)J.T. Realmuto (Phillies)
Will Smith (Dodgers)
If that group appears underwhelming relative to what it could be, that's because it is. There's no Max Scherzer or Shane McClanahan or even Spencer Strider. There's no surefire ace type, in other words.
Plenty good enough to win it again. And with this offensive power lineup they will have more then enough help.
The biggest threat to a USA repeat is the Dominican Republic and Japan. As loaded as Team USA is the Dominicans and Japanese are equally if not more loaded then the Americans.
It starts tonight against the Brits at 8pm on Fox. I’ll be rooting on the 6 players that play in the state(two Royals and four Cardinals) and we aren’t going to need the French help on this beat down. Hopefully the British don’t cry to much in there tea and crumpets because this one’s gonna get ugly.
