LIVE on ESPN: Team USA's absurdly stacked lineup debuts vs. SF
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We've known for a while that Team USA is positively bursting at the seams with superstar names, but it hits a little differently to see them in a real batting order.
With the squad facing the Giants in an exhibition game at Scottsdale Stadium right now on ESPN, we can get a look at how manager Mark DeRosa might deploy his All-Stars in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Just look at these names in the starting lineup!
1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS
2. Bryce Harper, 1B
3. Aaron Judge, RF
4. Kyle Schwarber, DH
5. Alex Bregman, 3B
6. Cal Raleigh, C
7. Roman Anthony, LF
8. Byron Buxton, CF
9. Brice Turang, 2B
And that doesn't include Cy Young winner Paul Skenes on the mound and Gunnar Henderson and Pete Crow-Armstrong waiting on the bench.
It'll be some tough sledding for San Francisco starter Adrian Houser, who'll have to get through the first six batters before he reaches someone without a top-two MVP Award finish to his name.
The lineup combines for 26 All-Star selections and five MVP Awards, but there's definitely a hankering for championship hardware; only Bregman and Schwarber have won the World Series in their careers.
Team USA's drive toward its second World Baseball Classic title officially begins Friday against Brazil (8 p.m. ET on FOX).