If Mexico advances, Taijuan Walker is scheduled to start championship game against Team USA

Team USA trounced Cuba 14-2 in the World Baseball Classic semifinals Sunday night. They await the winner of Mexico vs. Japan on Monday and it’s possible that the three Phillies stars on Team USA, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber, could face a Phillies teammate in the finals.

Rob Thomson told reporters, including the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Scott Lauber, that if Mexico defeats Japan and advances to the finals, Taijuan Walker is scheduled to start the championship game.

Walker was excellent in his initial outing for Mexico in pool play. He struck out eight and allowed only one hit through four innings in a win over Great Britain:

Eight strikeouts in 4 innings, Taijuan Walker put on a show for Team Mexico. #WorldBaseballClassic

(MLB x @EstrellaJalisco) pic.twitter.com/YcCePke5tP

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 15, 2023

It’s far from a given that Mexico will advance. They’re the underdogs against Japan, who came into the tournament as one of the favorites to win it all. Team Mexico will have to get past Rōki Sasaki, a 21-year-old phenom who is expected to be a force in MLB within the next few years.

If Japan wins, Team USA will likely face Padres starter Yu Darvish in the championship game. Shohei Ohtaini, who started Team Japan’s quarterfinal win against Italy in Tokyo, could pitch out of the bullpen.

But if Mexico does pull off the upset, we’ll get a pretty exciting Phillie vs. Phillie[s] matchup on the biggest stage.

For those that are curious, Trea Turner, who has three home runs in his last two games for Team USA, is 5-for-19 lifetime against Walker with two doubles.

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