World Baseball Classic 2013: Breaking Down Team USA's Group D Opponents

Baseball is finally back. And while spring training is garnering a lot of the attention right now, the World Baseball Classic will be taking center stage soon.

There is plenty to look forward to in the third staging of the WBC, including a Team USA squad that is loaded with MLB talent from top to bottom. Highlighted by star sluggers like Ryan Braun, David Wright and Giancarlo Stanton, Team USA has a chance to make a splash in this year’s tournament.

The first round of action begins March 2. Sixteen teams will be divided into four groups, battling in round-robin action for a chance to advance to the second round and beyond.

Let’s take a look at Team USA’s opponents, and break down its chances in the first round against three quality foes.

Italy

Italy has experienced its share of success in European play, winning 10 European titles and making an Olympics appearance in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 (per WorldBaseballClassic.com).

While this year’s roster isn’t laden with MLB talent, there are some major leaguers of note, including Jason Grilli, Chris Denorfia, Nick Punto and Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo is Team Italy’s biggest slugger, and he’ll look to feast off Group D pitching.

It may not be loaded with MLB stars, but Team Italy has a chance to do some damage in Round 1. In 2009, Italy knocked Team Canada out of the first round with a big road victory.

The Italians have some hitters, but their pitching staff probably won’t hold up against the big bats of Team USA. Look for their first-round matchup to be a lopsided affair in favor of the Americans.

Mexico

Mexico advanced out of the first round in the 2009 WBC, and it will be one of the favorites to do the same this year.

While there aren’t as many major league stars on this year’s roster, Mexico still has plenty of talent. Adrian Gonzalez, Jorge Cantu, Yovani Gallardo and Francisco Rodriguez highlight a roster that could be a dangerous contender in Group D.

Team USA has a definitive advantage in this year’s matchup, though. Team Mexico has to face Italy on March 7, before facing the American team on its home turf on March 8. With the amount of big league depth on Team USA’s pitching staff, Mexico may have trouble putting up runs in the contest.

Canada

Team Canada has failed to make it out of the first round in either of its previous WBC appearances, but don’t write the Canadians off yet. Apart from Team USA, Canada has the most big league talent of any roster in the group.

Joey Votto, Justin Morneau and Brett Lawrie headline a lineup that will look to score runs in bulk during the group stage. Votto is one of the game’s best sluggers, and he has plenty of experience facing off with Team USA’s pitching staff.

In 2011, Team Canada took third place in the World Cup and first at the Pan Am Games. Its 2009 struggles in the WBC aren’t reason to doubt the Canadians this year.

As is often the case with WBC rosters, Canada’s pitching staff isn’t all that deep. Big production from the middle of the lineup will ultimately have to be what carries Canada past its Group D opponents.

Team USA’s biggest challenge will be navigating past Canada on March 10. As each team’s final group stage matchup, this game could decide which squad advances beyond the first round.