MLB world in awe of ridiculous WBC lineup

Not only does the World Baseball Classic offer a stage for the game’s best and brightest stars, but it also offers some unreal lineup possibilities. Consider the Dominican Republic, which is already missing one of the game’s best sluggers in Vladimir Gurrero, Jr., who withdrew from the WBC due to a knee injury and Ferndando Tatis, Jr., who has been ruled ineligible from a prior suspension.

The D.R.’s starting lineup for Saturday’s game in the WBC against Venezuela consists of multiple MLB superstars including Julio Rodriguez, Juan Soto, and Manny Machado, according to ESPN’s Enrique Rojas. That’s without even mentioning tonight’s starter, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Sandy Alcantara. Eloy Jimenez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Willy Adames, Ketel Marte, and Jean Segura, and others are not all playing for the D.R. on Saturday.

Dominican Republic's lineup for tonight's huge game vs. Venezuela, per @Enrique_Rojas1:

1. Julio Rodríguez, CF
2. Juan Soto, LF
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Teoscar Hernández, RF
5. Rafael Devers, DH
6. Wander Franco, 2B
7. Jeremy Peña, SS
8. Jeimer Candelario, 1B
9. Gary Sánchez, C

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 11, 2023

The MLB world was in awe of the rather ridiculous lineup.

“Decent names! Wow,” said ESPN’s Karl Ravech.

Decent names! Wow. https://t.co/mWlznti3hV

— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) March 11, 2023

“Ah yes, Baseball- America’s Pastime,” jokingly wrote one fan.

Ah yes, Baseball- America’s Pastime https://t.co/S9QLgPqKT4

— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) March 11, 2023

“USA v DR gonna be an all star game,” wrote another fan.

USA v DR gonna be an all star game 🔥 https://t.co/2fNvqslRKe

— Cheed (@OnlyChadMnich) March 11, 2023

“And Sandy Alcantara on the mound,” wrote Tommy Lorenzo. “What an absolute nasty lineup.”

And Sandy Alcantara on the mound. What an absolute nasty lineup. #WBC ⚾️ https://t.co/d5GKkJNb5w

— Tommy Lorenzo (@sportsbooktom) March 11, 2023

[Jeff Passan]