TEMPE, Ariz. — Benji Gil, who is the manager of Team Mexico and the Angels’ infield coach, had a simple explanation for why he picked Patrick Sandoval to start Mexico’s matchup against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
“I just think he’s awesome,” Gil said Saturday morning, officially announcing what had been tentatively planned for weeks. “I think he’s a great matchup for anybody.”
Of course, there is more to the decision than that. Gil is also trying to keep his starters working on the schedule that fits with their teams, and also to plan for Mexico’s future games in the WBC.
Dodgers ace Julio Urías, Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker and Houston Astros righty José Urquidy are also in Mexico’s rotation.
Gil said Urías will start Mexico’s opener, on March 11, against Colombia. Sandoval then starts the next day against Team USA at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Mike Trout, who is the captain of Team USA, said Sandoval has been “giving me that little look” in the clubhouse already.
Mexico is the favorite to join the USA in advancing from the five-team pool in Arizona. Urías would be in line to pitch the quarterfinal March 17 or 18 in Miami, and then Sandoval could pitch the semifinal March 19 or 20.
Sandoval, who will be able to pitch only about four innings, against Team USA, said he’s pumped for the opportunity.
“It’s a great challenge,” said Sandoval, who will work three innings for the Angels on Sunday. “Obviously they have an insane lineup, so it’ll be fun. It’ll be a good little tuneup for the season. … It’ll be cool to face a lineup like that before the season and see where your stuff’s at, and compete at a really high level. Hopefully it’ll be a little tuneup for a playoff situation later on this year. It’s going to be fun.”
Angels manager Phil Nevin also revealed that he has Sandoval scheduled to start the second game of the season – after Shohei Ohtani pitches the opener – and…
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