Judge & Skenes: USA's WBC Hope vs. Ohtani

Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes are poised to lead Team USA's charge in the World Baseball Classic, with their performance being central to the team's aspirations. Manager Mark DeRosa has identified these two stars as the foundational elements for building a winning squad, particularly in anticipation of facing a strong Team Japan led by Shohei Ohtani. Judge, a captain for the New York Yankees, provides offensive power and flexible outfield play, having hit 53 home runs last season. Skenes, an ace pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, presents a formidable presence on the mound, marked by his 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts during the previous season. Both players are making their World Baseball Classic debuts, facing the challenge of potentially overcoming Shohei Ohtani, who previously secured a win against the U.S. in the 2023 final. The team also includes notable players such as Clayton Kershaw and Alex Bregman. However, Cody Bellinger will not be participating, having chosen to focus on his new five-year, $162.5 million contract with the Yankees, which shifts additional pressure onto Judge and Skenes.