Team USA has its ace. Will Paul Skenes’ decision to pitch be a game-changer for the WBC?

The 4 Nations Face-Off was the best thing to happen to hockey since, what, three-on-three overtime? Emotions overflowed. Patriotism reigned — and was even further juiced by President Trump’s tariffs on Canada and threats of annexation. If aliens came down from outer space and observed the intensity of players on both sides of Canada vs. Team USA, they would’ve assumed that 4 Nations was for all the hockey marbles. It also raised a fair question: Why hasn’t the World Baseball Classic ever stoked equivalent passion, at least in the United States? Maybe things are about to change.

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