What better way for Team Canada to continue its historic run in the World Baseball Classic than to take on its neighbouring rival.
Reaching the quarterfinals for the first time, Canada is set to face Team USA on Friday after going 3-1 in pool play. (Coverage carried on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.)
But while Canada doesn't feature a star-studded roster like its opponent, it still managed to weave its way through Pool A on the back of strong pitching and unlikely heroes.
That style of play gained the attention of Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, who referred to the Canadians during a press conference on Thursday as a "scrappy bunch."
"They're swinging the bats, bunch of guys in their lineup from (Abraham) Toro to (Owen) Caissie are swinging the bats well," DeRosa continued.
Toro and Caissie are Team Canada's leading batters throughout the tournament so far, sporting .467 and .500 batting averages, respectively.
The team also allowed just 10 runs over the four pool games, good for a 1.50 ERA.
But for DeRosa, the chance to even battle the "scrappy" Canadians is a "fortunate" one, considering his American squad needed some help just to move on in the tournament.
The manager referred to the quarterfinal berth as "a new lease on life," fitting for a team that made headlines for more than one reason after a loss to Team Italy in pool play.
Not only was the loss a major upset as the Americans are one of the tournament favourites, but DeRosa also claimed pre-game that their "ticket's punched."
That, of course, was not the case, and Team USA needed Italy to score at least four runs on Wednesday against Mexico to move on to the quarters.
DeRosa clarified is comments yet again on Thursday.
"I was well aware that we had to win that game based on all the scenarios that could take place," he said. "It's just an overly confident statement on 'Hot Stove.' ... I felt good about where we were after Mexico."
