Canada vs Columbia: Starting Lineups - WBC Game Preview
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/
Team Canada takes on Team Colombia to kick off day two of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Saturday.
Team Canada begins its 2026 World Baseball Classic campaign on Saturday, facing Team Colombia to open its tournament schedule.
Arizona Diamondbacks right hander Michael Soroka is on the bump for Team Canada, while Colombia will counter with veteran pitcher Julio Teheran, the 35-year-old right-hander who has plenty of international and Major League experience.
The matchup takes place on Day 2 of Pool A, marking Canada's first game of the tournament and Colombia's second.
Team Canada Starting Lineup
1. 2B Edouard Julien
2. 1B Josh Naylor
3. RF Tyler O'Neill (R) RF
4. DH Tyler Black (L) 2B
5. SS Otto Lopez (R) SS
6. 3B Abraham Toro
7. C Bo Naylor
8. LF Owen Caissie
9. CF Denzel Clarke
SP Michael Soroka (RHP)
2. 1B Josh Naylor
3. RF Tyler O'Neill (R) RF
4. DH Tyler Black (L) 2B
5. SS Otto Lopez (R) SS
6. 3B Abraham Toro
7. C Bo Naylor
8. LF Owen Caissie
9. CF Denzel Clarke
SP Michael Soroka (RHP)
Team Columbia Starting Lineup
1. DH Michael Arroyo
2. LF Harold Ramirez
3. 1B Reynaldo Rodriguez
4. 2B Donovan Solano
5. 3B Gio Urshela
6. RF Jesus Marriaga
7. C Daniel Vellojin
8. CF Tito Polo
9. SS Dayan Frias
SP Julio Teheran
2. LF Harold Ramirez
3. 1B Reynaldo Rodriguez
4. 2B Donovan Solano
5. 3B Gio Urshela
6. RF Jesus Marriaga
7. C Daniel Vellojin
8. CF Tito Polo
9. SS Dayan Frias
SP Julio Teheran
Canada and Colombia have WBC history
Canada and Colombia have developed a bit of a World Baseball Classic history, having faced each other in each of the last two editions of the tournament.
In the 2017 WBC, Colombia pulled off an upset, defeating Canada 4-1 behind a strong performance from Teherán, who earned the win. Nearly a decade later, he'll once again take the mound against the Canadians.
Canada returned the favor in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, shutting out Colombia 5-0.
That victory was fueled by a strong pitching performance and a home run from current Canadian shortstop Otto Lopez.
THAT BALL IS GONE!! OH, CANADA!! Otto Lopez 3-run shot 💪
Canada's coaching staff for the 2026 tournament features several former Major League players with deep ties to Canadian baseball.
The group includes 2006 American League MVP Justin Morneau, former MLB pitcher Paul Quantrill, and former Toronto Blue Jays catchers Ernie Whitt and Russell Martin.
Whitt will once again serve as manager, leading Canada in a record sixth World Baseball Classic and continuing his streak of managing the team in every edition of the tournament.
"I take a lot of pride in playing for Baseball Canada... we're grinders man, we play in the winter, we're playing in bad weather a lot. We know how to grind it out."
Tyler O'Neill on representing Canada at the World Baseball Classic
Tyler O'Neill on representing Canada at the World Baseball Classic
Canada's best finish at the event came in the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic, when the team placed ninth.
Several members of the current coaching staff, including Morneau and Quantrill, were players on that roster.
With a staff full of Canadian baseball icons and a talented roster taking the field, Canada hopes its blend of experience and leadership will help push the program to new heights in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 7|55 ANSWERS Canada vs Columbia: Starting Lineups - WBC Game Preview Who will win today's WBC matchup between Canada and Colombia? | ||
| Canada | 53 | 96.4 % |
| Columbia | 2 | 3.6 % |
| List of polls | ||