Team Mexico defeated Canada on Wednesday to advance from Pool C and reach the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in the country’s history. That lines up Julio Urías to face Puerto Rico on Friday in Miami.
Urías threw 62 pitches over five innings against Colombia in Mexico’s first WBC game. He was perfect through four innings before allowing three runs in the fifth of an eventual loss.
How Mexico deploys Urías against Puerto Rico will factor in input from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“So there’s going to be a conversation with the Dodgers to clarify so we’re on the same page,” Team Mexico manager Benji Gil said in Spanish.
“How many pitches they’re willing for him to throw, and also we will adjust with that. At the end of the day, the other day he threw 62 pitches in five innings. Maybe it’s something similar.”
Pitchers were capped at a maximum of 65 pitches per outing during pool play. That increases to 80 pitches for the quarterfinals and 95 in both the semifinals and finals.
“Obviously we will try to win but we’re not going to try to jeopardize one of the best baseball players,” Gil said.
Urías is relishing the opportunity to play with Team Mexico in the WBC for the first time in his career. He hoped to do so in 2017 as well, but the Dodgers declined to clear their young prospect for participation.
Austin Barnes brings sense of comfort for Julio Urías
Joining Urías on the Team Mexico roster is Dodgers teammate Austin Barnes, and they formed the battery in the left-hander’s first World Baseball Classic start.
“He gives me a lot of security. Barnes knows me very well,” Urías said in Spanish. “I feel more calm to have him behind home. He knows what pitches I like to throw, he knows how I like to play against the batters. He’s going to be very fun.”
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