PHOENIX—A must-win situation arrived early for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
The loss to Mexico on Sunday night in front of a capacity crowd in Phoenix put the U.S. in a precarious position. A loss to Canada in Monday’s night Pool C game would leave the Americans needing a win Wednesday against Colombia—and some help—to advance to the next round.
The Americans are 1–1 following the 11-5 loss to Mexico. The Canadians are 1–0 after their 18–8 mercy-rule victory Sunday in seven innings over Great Britain.
“The U.S. team, on paper they’re pretty sound,” Canada manager Ernie Whitt said. “We’ll know more about them (Monday). But right now, we’re celebrating this win (over Great Britain), and we’ll take it one day at a time.”…