World Baseball Classic 2013: Pitchers Who Will Take USA to the Championship

Team USA has a loaded lineup for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, including some of the best pitchers in the MLB. Pitching is what will get this USA club to the championship round.

Manager Joe Torre and Pitching Coach Greg Maddux bring a strong pitching staff to this international baseball competition.

The staff features 15 pitchers, six of whom are southpaws. With a strong rotation and reliable bullpen, Team USA is destined to make a run at the championship.

Here are three USA pitchers to keep an eye on.

R.A. Dickey

R.A. Dickey has an advantage that most other pitchers do not. He throws a knuckleball, which can be extremely challenging for batters to connect with. 

With so few knuckleballers in baseball, Dickey brings a very unique feature to Team USA. 

Last season with the New York Mets, he led the MLB in strikeouts with 230. He finished No. 2 in the majors with 20 wins, boasting an impressive 2.73 ERA.

In the offseason, Dickey was awarded the National League Cy Young Award. Soon after winning the award, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in a seven-player deal.

Dickey will challenge every batter he faces, and he gives Team USA the best chance to win.

Gio Gonzalez

Another excellent starting pitcher on the USA roster is Gio Gonzalez. 

This left-hander had a breakout year last season and was a huge reason the Washington Nationals were so successful.

Gonzalez led the entire league in wins with 21 last season. He was also No. 4 in the MLB with 207 strikeouts.

His sidearm motion can make it tough for batters to see the ball at times.

Gonzalez will pitch very well for Team USA and help the team advance far in the World Baseball Classic.

Craig Kimbrel

One of the best relievers on this squad is Craig Kimbrel, a young right-hander.

Kimbrel was excellent as the closer for the Atlanta Braves in 2012.

He had 42 saves last season, finishing tied with Jason Motte of the St. Louis Cardinals for the league lead.

Kimbrel ended the season with a 1.01 ERA, giving up only seven earned runs in 63 games.

Blowing only three saves the entire season, Kimbrel was one of the league's best relievers and an important part of the Atlanta Braves.

With Kimbrel, Team USA puts forth an exceptionally strong bullpen.

Team USA has a very good roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. With Dickey and Gonzalez leading the rotation, Team USA has a well-built pitching staff.

Pitching will lead this USA squad to the championship round.