USA names first four starting pitchers for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Paul Skenes warms up in Team USA practice 2026 World Baseball Classic
Paul Skenes warms up in Team USA practice 2026 World Baseball ClassicChris Coduto/Getty Images

Team USA announced on Monday that Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Nolan McLean will be the starting pitchers for their first four games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Webb, 29,  will pitch against Brazil (March 6th). Skubal, 29, against Great Britain (March 7th). Skenes, 23, against Mexico (March 9th). And McLean, 24, against Italy (March 10th). 

Webb (San Francisco Giants) led the entire National League with 224 strikeouts through an MLB-leading 207 innings, finishing the season with his second All-Star selection, his first Gold Glove, and fourth in NL Cy Young voting. 

Skubal (Detroit Tigers) has won back-to-back Cy Youngs after having the best ERA in the AL in each of the past two seasons. In 2024, he became the 22nd pitcher in MLB history to win the Triple Crown after leading the AL in wins (18), ERA (2.39), and strikeouts (228). 

However, Skubal announced he will only be pitching in one game before returning to the Tigers' Spring Training camp and it was announced on Monday as well that he will be limited to 55 pitches

Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates) announced something similar, as he'll only be starting two games. He won the ERA title this past season, putting up a jaw-dropping 1.97 ERA - the best in all of baseball - with 216 strikeouts. 

McLean (New York Mets) is coming off a stellar rookie season in which he tossed a 2.06 ERA, giving up just 11 runs on 13 hits in 48 innings while striking out 57 and walking 16. 

The four are just part of what is considered the greatest team in World Baseball Classic history before the tournament even begins (read more here).