WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - MEXICO VS USA

March 9, 2026

Mark DeRosa

Roman Anthony

Paul Skenes

Daikin Park

Team USA

Postgame Press Conference

USA - 5, Mexico - 3

Q. Paul, how did you feel being out there with USA across the jersey, a hitless outing?

PAUL SKENES: I think I gave up one hit, but it didn't matter because Judge threw him out at third. One of the best throws I've seen.

It was awesome. Great atmosphere. Nice to feel like I'm doing something rather than just taking up a hotel room and eating all the free meals. Good to go out there and do my job.

Q. Any thoughts about going out there one more inning?

MARK DEROSA: No. He was at the proper pitch count for us to make the move. Garrett Cleavinger was hot. He was probably going to come into that inning if he got in a little bit of trouble. So, no, he was at 60 pitches.

Q. Paul, did you get a chance to see the Air Force baseball team? And how did that come about with you and Griffin paying for them to stay an extra day here?

PAUL SKENES: Yeah, I haven't gotten to see them yet. I'm going to go see them right when we finish up.

Kaz, the head coach there -- they played Baylor yesterday or through yesterday, and then took -- I think he was planning on coming regardless. Worked out that I was pitching the Monday game and great managing getting him into the game there also.

Just worked out well. So it's going to be great to see them all.

Q. Paul, three years ago I was covering you preparing for SEC play, and now you're on the world's biggest stage. Have you had time to really process how far you've come in so little time? And what was it like to pitch out there tonight?

PAUL SKENES: Yeah, I've had about three years now, and as much as stuff changes, it all kind of stays the same. It's all baseball. So obviously it's the biggest stage, but it hasn't changed all that much. Yeah, it's kind of funny.

Q. Roman, is there going to be any back-to-back banter with Jarren after tonight's game?

ROMAN ANTHONY: Yeah, we've already texting a little bit. He had a great night. He looks great. He looked great early in spring. It's going to be fun to play them during the year. But I think for right now we're just staying with our teams and doing our own thing.

Q. This is a third win for you guys against Mexico. How's the environment in the locker room? Have you talked about it? How are you celebrating?

ROMAN ANTHONY: It was an unbelievable environment. I think, for me at least, it's the loudest game I've been a part of. Just amazing to get baseball like that this early in the year. And always great when you win. So the vibes are great.

Q. Benji came in here and said he can't wait to face you again in Miami. Your thoughts on that?

MARK DEROSA: Ton of respect for Mexico and Benji. Their team is a legit team, bottom line. Great game, great atmosphere. Ton of respect for them.

Q. We're at the point in this tournament where we have 20 years of history. Did you grow up watching this tournament? And how would you describe your WBC debut?

PAUL SKENES: The first one I can remember watching is the 2017 one, which it's an iconic tournament. Had some iconic moments. So, I mean, it's been everything I could have expected and more. It's been awesome. So can't wait to keep going.

Q. Paul, you looked pretty happy with Bobby Witt's defense back there. How is it playing with him behind you, and also Judge with the throw?

PAUL SKENES: Yeah, it makes it really easy to pitch. We're not running from contact. The guys behind us can make really good plays. Bobby's play, that's one of the best plays I've ever seen, the one on Kirk, I believe. Yeah, they did a great job today.

Q. Mark, why no Mason Miller there in the late innings?

MARK DEROSA: We were trying to stay away from Mason, to be honest with you. I mean, I get it completely. We were trying to get Boyd through the top of the order and then get it to Whitlock. Cleavinger and Whitlock were the only guys who hadn't thrown for us yet.

Mason kind of threw a ton of bullets in the bullpen and then came in and kind of got through his inning but threw a ton of pitches. So we were trying to avoid him.

Q. Just workload, not that he's feeling something?

MARK DEROSA: Oh, 100 percent, yeah.

Q. Mark, Alex Bregman has an ability that kind of goes unseen where he takes a throw from the outfield in such a way where it looks like there's no throw coming and all of a sudden he's stabbing it out of the sky and is tagging the guy. How does that compare with other third basemen you've seen at taking throws from the outfield?

MARK DEROSA: Yeah, Alex is one of the best baseball players in the game, and his passion for the game is, it's immeasurable. I think at the end of the day, I look at the entire roster and phenomenal defense, just constant putting pressure on people. At the end, great play by Brice Turang and also great defense by Mexico as well. Their throw out of Roman perfect cut and relay there early. Judge made a great defensive play. Bobby Witt was fantastic. It was just a great game, period.

Q. Roman, have you talked to Marcelo Mayer yet about this game?

ROMAN ANTHONY: No, I haven't had much time yet. I'm sure I will at some point, whether that be tonight or when I get back, I'm sure I'll hear from him and it will be fun to talk some smack.

Q. Roman, so did you watch the WBC at all growing up? And how would you describe your WBC debut?

ROMAN ANTHONY: I was actually at the last one, at the championship game, drove over with a few guys. So I got to experience that atmosphere. And to be part of it as a fan, and I can tell you that being on the field is a whole lot better.

It's unbelievable, like I said earlier, getting to play baseball like this, this early in the year, it means a little bit more playing for your country and representing.

Yeah, I mean, watched it as a kid growing up and always kind of dreamt of being in it. So when I got the call and I got the opportunity to do it it's been a no-brainer. And for me being not a ton of experience and being in this locker room with these guys, it's been unbelievable.

Q. Roman and Paul, the fans were absolutely electric tonight, especially there in the first innings. You never knew who was the home team. Have you ever been a part of something as electric?

PAUL SKENES: Yeah, that was pretty cool. You're exactly right. You didn't know who was the home team. And there were times during the game where the Mexico fans got fired up and there were times when the USA got fired up. It was pretty cool. I think it would be hard to find another atmosphere like that outside of a tournament like this. It just doesn't happen in the regular season, I don't think. That was cool to be a part of.

ROMAN ANTHONY: Yeah, same. I mean, it was unbelievable. I think every pitch for nine innings, it was unbelievable to be a part of and to experience and just it was like Paul said it was a good baseball game. It's fun to be a part of.

Q. Mark, with you guys playing Italy tomorrow, pretty impressed to see how far that team has come even since the last WBC?

MARK DEROSA: Yeah, they've got a great roster. And to be honest with you, with Mexico playing Italy the day after us, we will approach it like it's a must-win game.

Q. Paul, before the tournament started, media diffused the information that you asked for the ball for tonight's game. My question is, is that what you were expecting about this outing against Mexico? And which country would you like to pitch against in your next opening in this WBC?

PAUL SKENES: Yeah, I mean that was better than I could have expected. Better atmosphere than I could have expected. I've never done this before. I didn't know what to expect. But that was an awesome atmosphere. I couldn't care less who I pitch against next.