Team USA aims to demonstrate dominance; Skenes: Which game I pitch doesn't matter, just want the gold medal

Following his appearance in a preseason game versus the Atlanta Braves today, Paul Skenes, the 2025 National League Cy Young Award recipient, has wrapped up his last spring training duties before the upcoming sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic. When discussing the tournament, he expressed a determined mindset, stating that he is open to pitching in any matchup if it contributes to winning the gold.

The United States recently achieved an impressive result of 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze medals, ranking second overall behind Norway at the concluded Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Victories in men's and women's ice hockey, along with women's figure skating, brought long-awaited gold medals, providing Skenes with pride and additional motivation.

"It really doesn't matter which game I pitch; I just want to win the gold medal," Skenes said. "Winning gold is the most important thing. Yes, the men's hockey, women's hockey, and the other gold medals we won at the Olympics. We are the United States. We have to show our dominance over other countries. That's what we're going to do, and it will be fun."

The 23-year-old ace, who attended the Air Force Academy, also hopes to honor U.S. military personnel by securing a second championship for the team, which would be their first in nine years. "We are the greatest country in the world. I firmly believe that. That's why I wanted to serve my country and attend the Air Force Academy. And the military doesn't get the recognition they deserve. We are playing in the Classic for those who fight on our behalf, and for all the other reasons that make this nation the greatest. Thinking this way helps us better appreciate how important our service members are."

In this Classic, Team USA is placed in Group B and will face Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy in sequence starting March 6, with a rest day on March 8. Favored as the top contender for the title, the Stars and Stripes are expected to play through all three knockout rounds, with Skenes projected to start two games.

The U.S. starting pitching staff also includes Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, Matthew Boyd, Logan Webb, Clay Holmes, and Nolan McLean. Although two-time American League Cy Young winner Skubal has indicated he will only pitch once in the group stage, the rotation and bullpen remain exceptionally deep and powerful.

Skenes remarked, "I'll have about two to two and a half weeks to learn from these guys. Talking with them is great, but seeing firsthand how they operate is another thing entirely. So besides the gold medal, just getting to compete alongside them is a huge reward in itself."