First Pitch: 5 MLB teams with the most to lose during the World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic worries for Los Angeles Angels?

OK, maybe on the surface the Angels aren’t considered a contender in the American League, but it’s widely thought that this year could be the best opportunity for Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani to make it to the postseason with both calling Anaheim home.

Those two names (with Trout representing the United States and Ohtani donning the Japanese uniform) lead the Angels’ contingent for the World Baseball Classic, with infielder David Fletcher (Italy), starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval, (Mexico), and infielder Gio Urshela (Colombia) also taking part.

With Trout’s history of injuries, think of the backlash if he was lost for a part of the season because of a play in the WBC. Also think about what could happen if Ohtani was sidelined for part or all of the season after bringing his skills to the Japanese dugout. Either scenario would be a death blow for any chance the Angels had to sneak into the postseason in 2023.

World Baseball Classic worries for Houston Astros?

The defending World Champions have a stacked lineup and, at least on the surface, few weak links as they prepare for spring training to open. However, with a number of key Astros players on WBC rosters, Houston is likely just wanting to get to the season opener on March 30 at home against the Chicago White Sox healthy and ready to defend.

From Jose Altuve roaming the infield for Venezuela to Luis Garcia making pitches for the same team, and from newly extended Cristian Javier pitching for the Dominican Republic to closer Ryan Pressly and outfielder Kyle Tucker trying to help the United States repeat as WBC champions, there will be plenty of Astros going all out for their country. Each of them are keys to Houston’s chances at repeating, so expect new GM Dana Brown and owner Jim Crane to be glad when the WBC champion is crowned on March 21.