The 2026 World Baseball Classic is officially underway. Day one in Tokyo produced Korea 11, Czechia 4 — Bo Gyeong Moon hit a grand slam in the first inning and Korea never looked threatened. Later tonight Australia faces Czechia in the same building.
None of your seven Angels players were involved today. They all start tomorrow.
Here's what's coming.
Friday, March 6 — Four Games, All Day
5am ET — Yusei Kikuchi, Japan vs Chinese Taipei (FS1, Tokyo Dome)
The one you set the alarm for. Japan's first game of the tournament, and Kikuchi is on the rotation. His first competitive start against international lineups will tell you more about his 2026 arm than anything from the Cactus League. Japan are the defending champions. Ohtani is in the lineup but won't pitch. The Tokyo Dome will be at capacity.
11am ET — Yoán Moncada, Cuba vs Panama (FS2, San Juan)
Moncada is the only MLB player on Cuba's entire roster. He's been limited this spring with the oblique, which means a competitive game at third base is actually useful medical information. Watch how he moves.
1pm ET — Samy Natera Jr., Mexico vs Great Britain (FS1, Houston)
Natera is 20 years old and struck out 85 batters in 57 innings of minor league relief work last year. Mexico's Pool B group also includes USA — that game is Monday on FOX in primetime. Today he faces real lineups in meaningful situations for the first time.
6pm ET — Matthew Lugo and Gustavo Campero, Puerto Rico vs Colombia (FS1, San Juan)
Two Angels players in the same game. Puerto Rico lost Lindor and Correa before the tournament even started. Nolan Arenado is on the roster playing third base, which is a detail worth filing away if you're monitoring the Angels' infield situation. Campero's Colombia went 1-3 in 2023 and is trying to improve on that.
Saturday, March 7
5am ET — Kikuchi again, Japan vs South Korea (FS1)
Korea looked excellent on Day 1. Japan vs Korea at the Tokyo Dome is one of the signature matchups in international baseball. If Kikuchi takes the ball in this one it'll be in front of 55,000 people with a rivalry as its backdrop.
1pm ET — Sam Aldegheri and Camden Minacci, Italy vs Brazil (Fox Sports App)
Italy has 25 MLB players on their roster this year — more than Japan. They're a legitimate Pool B dark horse. Aldegheri and Minacci are part of a pitching staff better than the country's baseball reputation suggests.
The tournament runs through March 17. Seven of the players in it are on your team's payroll. Set the alarm for 5am Friday.