R.A. Dickey will be opening more than just one season this year. The NL reigning Cy Young winner is almost certainly going to pitch Opening Day for the Toronto Blue Jays, his new team after he was acquired along with personal catcher, Josh Thole, from the Mets in the offseason. Now Dickey will be opening Team USA’s pool play games in the World Baseball Classic as well.
Manager, Joe Torre, announced Dickey will face off against Mexico at Chase Field on Friday to kick off one of three pool play games for Team USA as it tries to win its first World Baseball Classic. Japan won each of the first two world tournaments.
Torre also went on to release more of the rotation, going with Giants’ starter, Ryan Vogelsong on Saturday against Italy and Texas Rangers starter, Derek Holland, facing a left-heavy Team Canada on Sunday. Ross Detwiler is also available on Sunday, and Torre will have late addition Gio Gonzalez, another eligible starter, stay home. Vogelsong, unlike Dickey and Holland, was still not officially named the starter for his game, pending the outcome of his Monday performance against the White Sox.
Despite Joe Mauer‘s presence on the US roster, Torre also announced J.P. Arencibia will start Friday to catch Dickey. Both players have been working all spring in Blue Jays camp together, and Dickey is someone who likely requires a familiar receiver as a hard-throwing knuckleballer. Mauer is expected to DH for the opener when Dickey is pitching.
According to World Baseball Classic rules, Dickey will only be allowed 65 pitches as a starter in the first round. In the second round the allotment rises to 80 and then to 95 in time for the semifinals. Team USA lost to Japan in the semifinals back in 2009.
