Pitching Edition: Cubs at the World Baseball Classic |
The World Baseball Classic has been a wonderful expression of elite baseball amongst each country's best players — and the Cubs were well documented.
The Cubs sent 18 players from nine countries to the World Baseball Classic. None of those players are on team USA — although Marcus Stroman pitched for the United States during the last World Baseball Classic in 2017. So let's check in on how the Cubs fared at the WBC — here is the pitchers edition: Marcus Stroman, Puerto Rico: Stroman pitched in his second World Baseball Classic. Last time around, Stroman was a part of the Team USA that won it all in 2017 — but this year, he decided to honor his mother and pitch for Puerto Rico. Stroman made two starts and pitched a team-high nine innings, striking out four. While he gave up seven hits, he only allowed three runs — good for an ERA of 3.00. The Cubs should be encouraged that he'll be ready for the season. Javier Assad, Mexico: Assad may have been the Cubs' most impressive pitcher in the WBC and may have been Mexico's best. Inserted into high-level games out of the bullpen, Assad did not allow a run in 5.2 innings pitched — allowing just two hits and striking out six hitters in his two appearances. Roenis Elías, Cuba: Elías was active for Cuba at the World Baseball Classic. He pitched a team-high nine innings but gave up three home runs. He started two games and struck out four batters — but had a problematic ERA of 5.00 Vinny Nittoli, Italy: Nitolli had some of the best stuff of all pitchers for Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic. In three appearances out of the bullpen, Nitolli struck out a team-high seven batters. However, he also surrendered five hits and two runs to inflate his ERA to 5.40. Branden Noriega, Great Britain: Noriega did not pitch in the World Baseball classic. Curtis Taylor, Canada: Taylor was effective for Team Canada in his 3.1 innings pitched. He had three strikeouts and did not allow a run in his two outings. Danis Correa, Columbia, was removed due to injury.
