The 2026 World Baseball Classic is upon us and this is a time where players put aside their MLB team differences and battle it out for their country. Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad is the first starting pitcher for the team to take the mound, as he pitched for Team Mexico in their opening game of pool play against Team Great Britain. Let’s take a deeper dive into his outing and discuss how he looked throughout.
Javier Assad pitches well in his World Baseball Classic start vs Team Great Britain
Assad was given the start in the opening game of pool play for Team Mexico, and he did not disappoint. He is not built up for a long outing and would throw 3.2 shutout innings before being pulled. He allowed two hits with one walk and a pair of strikeouts over his 51 pitches. He would face 13 batters throughout the game and look impressive against Team Great Britain, with MLB hitters littered throughout their lineup. His performance helped Mexico get a lead before blowing it open with an 8-2 win.
Assad will not be able to pitch until the final game of pool play due to throwing 50+ pitches, it is unclear if he will get a second start with Team Mexico. He is competing to make the Cubs’ starting rotation in the majors, as he is battling for the fifth starter role. He has options remaining, so there is a chance Assad will be pitching in Triple-A to begin the season as well.
It will be intriguing to see if this is the only game Assad will pitch for Team Mexico during the tournament or if he will get a second outing in his second World Baseball Classic.
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