The United States is taken notes as Pools A and B are almost decided and soon going head-to-head. However, before we study the outside pools, check out Team USA's first round schedule. USA will be in Pool D and are the heavy favorite to walk out of their bracket and advance to the next round.
Who do the U.S. play against in the first round?
Canada, Italy and Mexico.
These are the other three countries in the U.S.' Pool D. Let's be honest, out of all these nations, the U.S. is the only country known for baseball. In Mexico and Italy, soccer reigns. Meanwhile, Canada is known better for their love of ice hockey.
The first team the U.S. will play is Mexico @7:30 p.m. Local Time/9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Mar 8. Second up in the U.S.' schedule is Italy on Saturday, Mar 9 @ 7 p.m. Local Time/9 p.m. ET. Last on the schedule for the U.S. is Canada on Sunday Mar. 10 @ 1 p.m. Local Time/4 p.m. ET.
The games will be played in Chase Field in Arizona. Before Daylight's Savings, there's a two-hour difference between the time in Arizona and the east coast. However, since Daylight Savings is this upcoming Sunday, there will be a three-hour difference.
Show your support for Team USA as they attempt to win their first World Baseball Classic championship. Japan has controlled the WBC the past two times winning in 2006 and 2009. For some reason, the USA's talents have never been enough to get them far into the championship. In 2009 they were defeated by Japan in the semifinals. This year, they look to rely on new timers Craig Kimbrel, Gio Gonzalez and Giancarlo Stanton to get them over the edge.
Currently, Japan and Cuba advanced to the second round.
