Team USA delivered a commanding 15-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in an exhibition game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 3, 2026, showcasing their star-studded lineup ahead of the World Baseball Classic. Olympic legend Michael Phelps, who gave an inspiring speech to the team the night before, attended the game with his family. The win highlighted the Americans' offensive firepower and pitching depth as they prepare for Pool B play starting Friday against Brazil.
In Scottsdale, Arizona, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa deployed a powerhouse lineup featuring Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop, Bryce Harper at first base, Aaron Judge in right field, Kyle Schwarber as designated hitter, Alex Bregman at third base, Cal Raleigh catching, Roman Anthony in left field, Byron Buxton in center field, and Brice Turang at second base. The Americans combined for 19 hits in the 10-inning game, which extended to provide more pitching opportunities.
The scoring began early with Witt's leadoff single, Harper's double, and Judge's two-run single to center, putting Team USA ahead 2-0. Bregman extended the lead to 3-1 with a solo home run to center in the fourth inning, measured at 437 feet by Statcast. Harper added a two-run single in the fifth, making it 5-1, before Anthony's two-run homer to right in the sixth—traveling 394 feet—pushed the score to 7-1.
Further runs came in the seventh with doubles from Gunnar Henderson and Pete Crow-Armstrong, an RBI single from Cal Raleigh in the ninth, and additional contributions from minor leaguers assisting in the exhibition format. On the mound, Paul Skenes started strong, striking out four over three innings while allowing one earned run on a Willy Adames double. Relievers Matthew Boyd, David Bednar, Mason Miller, Griffin Jax, and Gabe Speier followed with 6 2/3 scoreless innings.
DeRosa praised the team's unity, noting, “I was proud of the fact that all of them stayed. All of them wanted to compete.” Bregman added, “I feel like this group has already got a great togetherness.” Skenes highlighted Phelps' message: “There's nothing better than winning gold for USA.”
The night before, Phelps, a 23-time Olympic gold medalist, addressed the team at a group dinner, emphasizing a winning mindset and team cohesion. DeRosa described the speech as “intense,” with the core message that “second place is not going to get it done.” Phelps watched batting practice and the game from the field with his children.
Team USA, seeking redemption after losing the 2023 WBC final to Japan, will face the Colorado Rockies in another exhibition on Wednesday before opening against Brazil on Friday at Daikin Park in Houston.
