Pirates' Paul Skenes had golden motivation for Team USA at WBC - ESPN
ESPN
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Pirates' ace Paul Skenes, the National League Cy Young Award winner, is carrying the momentum of Team USA's Olympic gold medal success into the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Motivated by the nation's achievements in the Winter Olympics, particularly in hockey, Skenes expressed a strong desire to "assert dominance" on the international stage. With two scheduled starts in the tournament, he aims to bring his dominant pitching and leadership to Team USA as they chase another gold medal.
In his first spring training outing against the Atlanta Braves, Skenes faced a challenge with the new automated ball-strike system, which overturned several called strikes. Despite this, he remained focused on adjusting and adapting throughout the game. Skenes emphasized the importance of representing U.S. servicemen and women, stating that this sense of purpose drives his participation in the WBC.
Team USA boasts a formidable pitching rotation, including Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, and Nolan McLean, among others. Skenes is eager to learn from these talented pitchers during the two-week tournament. The WBC will begin with pool play in Houston, featuring matches against Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy. The finals are set for March 17 in Miami.
Skenes' performance in the WBC could not only solidify his reputation as one of baseball's top pitchers but also reignite interest in international baseball competitions among sports fans. His blend of determination, skill, and patriotism makes him a key figure to watch in Team USA's quest for another gold medal.
Verticals
sports
Originally published on ESPN on 2/26/2026