As the World Baseball Classic winds down, Opening Day approaches.
However, there are still some key games yet to be played in the WBC.
On Monday night, Team Mexico will go up against Team Japan at loan Depot Park in Miami, vying for a trip to the final against Team USA.
And a certain pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels is getting the ball in key spot.
Young left-hander Patrick Sandoval has never pitched in a postseason game, but he’ll experience something similar on Monday, as he takes the ball for Mexico against Team Japan.
Bob Nightengale announced the news on Twitter.
Patrick Sandoval of the Los Angeles #Angels will start Monday for Mexico vs. Japan.
—Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 19, 2023
This is ultimately the biggest start of Sandoval’s career thus far.
The left-hander made his MLB debut in 2019.
By 2021, he had emerged as a key piece in the Angels rotation.
Last season, he went 6-9 and posted an ERA of 2.91 in 27 starts.
Sandoval figures to be a key piece of the puzzle for the Angels in 2023, but not before he makes perhaps the biggest and most important start of his life.
He will be opposed by young right-hander Roki Sasaki, who will take the ball for Team Japan.
The winner of Monday’s game will advance to the championship game on Tuesday, where they will meet the defending champions in Team USA.
Sandoval may have a chance to face off against his Angels teammate in Mike Trout in the championship game.
On Monday, he’ll have to deal with Shohei Ohtani, another teammate of his.
The game gets underway at 7 pm Eastern Time and will air on FOX Sports 1.
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