The World Baseball Classic opens today, March 5, and the Athletics will have six players spread across three pools. For Las Vegas fans, it is a clean way to track spring storylines in real games, including one pitcher who already logged time with the Las Vegas Aviators last season.
This A’s group ranges from veteran starter Luis Severino to position players still carving out defined roles. In a short tournament, a few high-leverage innings or one big at-bat can stick, and those moments can carry into camp conversations when the A’s return.
Where the A’s players will be
Pool A is in San Juan, Pool C is in Tokyo and Pool D is in Miami, placing three A’s players in one park in Puerto Rico while the Dominican group plays in the tournament’s toughest bracket. Pool play runs March 5-11, and several A’s-heavy games land in afternoon and early evening windows in PST, which makes it easier to follow without living on overnight alarms.
Dominican Republic brings the biggest name
Severino is the headliner in this A’s group and the easiest way to give the story weight. He made 29 starts for the Athletics in 2025, going 8-11 with a 4.54 ERA across 162.2 innings, and he gives the A’s a top-of-the-rotation representative on one of the deepest rosters in the tournament.
Dominican Republic also includes reliever Elvis Alvarado, the cleanest Dice City connection because he pitched for the Las Vegas Aviators in 2025 before logging a full MLB season with the A’s later that year. Alvarado posted a 3.19 ERA in 37 appearances for the Athletics with 50 strikeouts in 42.1 innings, making him a logical bullpen option if the Dominican staff manages innings early.
Pool D is the bracket that can feel like a playoff from the start. Dominican Republic’s pool includes Venezuela, Netherlands and Israel, so there is not much runway for slow starts or experimental usage.
Puerto Rico has two bats, and the roles are clear
Darell Hernaiz fits the tournament well because versatility matters in short series. He played shortstop, second base and third base for the Athletics in 2025, hitting .231 with 2 homers and a .599 OPS across 51 games, and that profile translates to a utility role that can plug multiple holes.
Carlos Cortes brings the “bat plays anywhere” hook. In 42 games for the Athletics in 2025, he hit .309 with 4 homers and an .866 OPS, production that will get attention fast if it shows up again on an international stage. Puerto Rico is in Pool A in San Juan, which should feel like a home stand and gives the A’s a first-week spotlight in one of the loudest environments.
Canada’s A’s rep can change games with defense
Denzel Clarke gives Canada an Athletics center fielder whose value can pop in a tournament where one run matters more. He hit .230 with 3 homers and 6 steals in 47 games in 2025, but the short-format edge is the glove, range and speed that can take extra-base hits off the board and create pressure on the bases.
Canada shares Pool A with Puerto Rico, which means Las Vegas viewers will see a built-in A’s storyline on the same field, sometimes in the same day.
Chinese Taipei adds a prospect angle in Tokyo
Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang is the A’s player tied to Chinese Taipei and his Classic role is simple: show the stuff. He threw 145.2 innings with 145 strikeouts at Double-A Midland in 2025, and a strong outing in Tokyo would give A’s fans a real reference point to track as he moves up the ladder.
A’s games to circle in PST
If you want a quick watch list without memorizing the full slate, start here.
Pool A (San Juan): Puerto Rico vs. Colombia (March 6, 3:00 PM), Cuba vs. Puerto Rico (March 9, 4:00 PM), Canada vs. Puerto Rico (March 10, 4:00 PM). Those games can decide the pool and they feature at least two Athletics in the mix.
Pool D (Miami): Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic (March 6, 4:00 PM), Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic (March 8, 9:00 AM), Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela (March 11, 5:00 PM). That closing matchup has the feel of a pool-decider and it is the best spotlight window for Severino and Alvarado.
Related stories
Dave Stewart to throw first pitch at Circa Opening Day event
Athletics Opening Day countdown: Rickey Henderson is best No. 24 in A’s history
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
