Team Canada announces starters for first two World Baseball Classic games
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
Team Canada has announced their starters for the first two World Baseball Classic games Colombia and Panama.
Team Canada has finalized its rotation for the opening weekend of the World Baseball Classic, tabbing veteran right-handers Michael Soroka and Jameson Taillon to start the tournament's first two matchups against Colombia and Panama.
According to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi, Soroka will take the mound Saturday versus Colombia, with Taillon scheduled to follow on Sunday against Panama.
Canada's World Baseball Classic team holds its first workout at Blue Jays PDC in Dunedin this afternoon, ahead of exhibition games Tuesday and Wednesday. Club leaves for San Juan, Puerto Rico right after with their Pool A opener slated for Saturday vs Colombia.
Exhibition tune-ups start today versus the Toronto Blue Jays
Soroka, a Calgary native, signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks during the offseason.
Now 28, the six-year MLB veteran has worked his way back after missing both the 2021 and 2022 seasons due to multiple torn Achilles injuries.
He spent the 2025 campaign split between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs, posting a 4.52 ERA with 95 strikeouts across 22 starts.
Taillon, born in Florida to Canadian parents, is preparing for his 10th major-league season and his fourth with the Cubs.
The 34-year-old right-hander delivered a steady 2025 season, recording a 3.68 ERA and 98 strikeouts over 23 starts.
Before tournament play begins, Canada will tune up with a pair of exhibition games this week.
In a matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays later this afternoon, the pitching staff is expected to feature Logan Allen, Noah Skirrow, Adam Macko, Indigo Diaz, Antoine Jean, Brock Dykxhoorn and Eric Cerantola.
On Wednesday, Canada will face the Philadelphia Phillies, with Cal Quantrill, Jordan Balazovic, Matt Wilkinson, James Paxton, Micah Ashman, Phillippe Aumont and Rob Zastryzny slated to pitch.
All World Baseball Classic games will be broadcast on Sportsnet and streamed on Sportsnet+.
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MARS 3|100 ANSWERS Team Canada announces starters for first two World Baseball Classic games Do you think Team Canada can win their pool? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 36 % |
| No | 51 | 51 % |
| Too early to tell | 13 | 13 % |
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