WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - GREAT BRITAIN VS USA

March 7, 2026

Brad Marcelino

Nate Eaton

Daikin Park

Team Great Britain

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Brad, you've known you were going to be facing Tarik Skubal for quite a few days now. Talk us through how that kind of changes the approach that Team GB has because it's not just been announced, like, a few hours before the game?

BRAD MARCELINO: I don't know if it's necessarily changed our approach. We've known. So I think the biggest thing is us not trying to do anything different. So six-hour strengths, make sure guys are convicted with who we are with our identity, what we do individually really well.

I think there's a trap there. If you try to sort of be different or try to do something that you're not used to do. So I think, for us, it's mainly just kind of -- these guys, allow them to just be who they are and stay on the attack.

Q. What's the mindset going into this environment when you're facing the U.S.? And do you think the environment against Mexico prepared you all for that well?

BRAD MARCELINO: Yeah, I mean, the environment against Mexico, obviously, it was fun. I think the tough part in the game is just the consistency. I think you've got to be consistent and sort of be really present in winning that pitch.

I think there's obviously the home fans and the players over there. But at the end of the day, like I said, we weren't happy with the results yesterday. We felt like we went toe to toe with those guys.

Same thing today, right? We are expecting to go and compete and win. So we're ready.

Q. So the U.S. made a lot of changes in their lineup going into this game compared to the last game. Is that something you guys were expecting? And how much did that change your game planning for this one?

BRAD MARCELINO: Kind of the same thing. I mean, you kind of run into what All-Star is going to be in the lineup. I think it doesn't change too much. Again, it's kind of owning who we are and our strengths. I think you look at it and you make small adjustments. But other than that, it's kind of straightforward.

Q. Nate, obviously the result didn't go your way yesterday. But can you just talk us through what it was like putting on that GB jersey and representing them for the first time?

NATE EATON: Yeah, yesterday was awesome. Just getting out there with all the guys, I mean all of us, just I've known a lot of them for a while. But being on the same field and practicing together, you get to know guys a little differently. And so just being able to suit up and go out there and compete together, I mean, it was awesome.

We were right there for the majority of the game, and it's baseball. Some balls fall. Some balls get caught. And so just gotta put your head down and get ready for the next day.

Q. Throughout the weekend I've been chatting with a lot of GB fans who have made the trip from the UK. What does it mean to, even if they're a little outnumbered, what does it mean to have people really care about baseball and the team this much to really buy in and make that trip?

NATE EATON: It's awesome. You obviously know how big baseball is here. And it's growing over there. So for them to come over here and support us, I mean, it's awesome. And we're doing whatever we can to make them proud and make it worth the trip.

BRAD MARCELINO: I think, to add on to that, there's a lot of history we have in the program with previous players, previous coaches, a lot of things that we've kind of gone through within the program.

So now to see us be able to be on this type of stage, I think it helps. And there's a lot of people that have come over to support us.

So we love that. It's not a short journey, obviously. We appreciate all the support and them coming out here.

Q. Nate, you're going to be facing off against a Cy Young-winning pitcher in Skubal. Is that something you thought you would be getting into at this point in your career?

BRAD MARCELINO: Throughout my career I've faced other ones. So not taking anything from him, he's obviously great, but I go about my routine and do my game planning the way I do. It's an awesome opportunity to do that, and I think we're prepared to do it.