The highly anticipated World Baseball Classic is finally upon us, and what a way to kick things off! The opening game between Chinese Taipei and Australia promises to be an exciting clash, with implications that could shape the entire Pool C competition.
This year's tournament marks a significant milestone for Australia's Travis Bazzana, the top MLB Draft pick of 2024. Bazzana, who made his senior national team debut at the 2024 Premier12, is now set to make his World Baseball Classic debut - a dream he's held onto since his college days.
"I've always had a vision for my career, and this was a big part of it," Bazzana shared during a recent workout. "I wrote about it, thought about it, and willed myself to see it through. It's an incredible feeling to have these dreams come true."
So, what can we expect from this highly anticipated matchup?
The Details:
- Date and Time: Thursday, March 5, 12 p.m. local time in Tokyo (March 4, 10 p.m. ET)
- Where to Watch: FS1 for American fans, Netflix for viewers in Japan, and other viewing options available internationally (https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/where-to-watch)
- Audio Stream: Free English-language audio stream for all games
- Starting Pitchers: Jo-Hsi Hsu (Chinese Taipei) vs. Alexander Wells (Australia)
Jo-Hsi Hsu: Despite his modest height of 5'10", Hsu is a force to be reckoned with on the mound. His fastball can reach speeds in the upper 90s, paired with an exceptional split-finger pitch. After dominating in Taiwan's CPBL with a 2.42 ERA across four seasons, Hsu attracted interest from Major League and NPB teams. He ultimately signed with the SoftBank Hawks in Japan for 2026, opting to continue his development as a starting pitcher before potentially making the leap to the Majors.
Hsu has prior World Baseball Classic experience, having pitched in the 2025 Qualifiers for Chinese Taipei. He posted an impressive 2.45 ERA in 3 2/3 innings with five strikeouts.
Alexander Wells: Wells, the older twin by seven minutes, will take the mound for Australia on the first day of the tournament. He made his Major League debut with the Orioles in 2021-22, pitching 46 1/3 innings with a 6.60 ERA. Unfortunately, injuries sidetracked his career, leading him to step away from the game until his return with the Sydney Blue Sox in 2024. Last year, he rebounded with a strong performance, going 5-3 and posting a 3.42 ERA.
What's at Stake: The winner of this game will be in a strong position to advance, while the loser will have their fate largely out of their hands. While the tournament's pool play doesn't hinge on a single game, this matchup could have a significant impact on the overall standings.
Matchup History: These teams last faced off in the 2024 Premier12, with Chinese Taipei claiming an 11-3 victory. Captain Chieh-Hsien Chen scored three runs, and former Guardians prospect Kungkuan Giljegiljaw added a three-run homer. Their previous World Baseball Classic encounter was in 2013, with Chinese Taipei again coming out on top, 4-1. Former Yankees pitcher and current Chinese Taipei pitching coach Chien-Ming Wang threw six shutout innings for the win.
As we gear up for this thrilling opening game, one thing is certain: the World Baseball Classic is back, and it's bringing the heat!
