Mexico, Great Britain ready to roll in Classic (Friday, 1 p.m. ET on FS1)

HOUSTON -- If Team Mexico uses the 2023 World Baseball Classic as motivation, it could shock the world this time around. Their first test will be against Great Britain, a relative newcomer after the team qualified for the tournament for the first time in 2023.

Mexico’s performance against Team USA and Puerto Rico three years ago was all the proof they needed that they could wind up in the championship round this year, and they have plenty of star power to push them to the finish line.

Randy Arozarena is the most recognizable Major League player on Mexico’s roster, but the talent pool runs deep: among the players returning from the 2023 team are Jarren Duran (Red Sox), Jonathan Aranda (Rays) and Javier Assad (Cubs). Mexico has also added closer Andrés Muñoz (Mariners), Joey Ortiz (Brewers) and Robert Garcia (Rangers) into the fold. Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays) is also on the roster after having to miss the '23 Classic.

When and where: Friday, 1 p.m. ET/12 CT, Daikin Park

How you can watch: The Mexico-Great Britain matchup will air nationally on FS1.

How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.

Probable starting pitchers: TBD (Great Britain) vs. TBD (Mexico)

What’s at stake: Mexico has some unfinished business to tend to, after it made it to the semifinals for the first time in 2023 and nearly took down the eventual champion Japan. Even though the ending was a gut-punch, Mexico was one of the most exciting and talked-about teams during that tournament.

But don’t count out Great Britain, whose roster is headlined by Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. He hails from the Bahamas, and last suited up for Great Britain as an 18-year-old at the 2016 World Baseball Classic qualifiers.

"It feels great," Chisholm Jr. said Thursday. "I was trying to put [the jersey] back on three years ago, but wasn't able to. Now that I am able to wear it again, it feels good, putting on the GB uniform and going out there and playing in the WBC."

Also, 2023 WBC participant Michael Petersen, who struck out Nolan Arenado on three pitches in the 2023 Classic, is on GB’s roster again. Peterson made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Dodgers and has appeared for the Braves and Marlins since then.

Matchup history: Great Britain and Mexico have never met in the WBC. Great Britain has a small Classic sample size to draw from, since this is just the second time it has participated in the WBC.