Team USA's drubbing of Rockies only raises World Baseball Classic expectations

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Judge said postgame, via David Brandt of the Associated Press. "Getting a chance to be surrounded by the greatness we have in this room — MVPs, Cy Young winners, World Series champs, All-Stars — the list goes on and on. It's going to be a cool experience. You get the chance to play for your country and also learn a thing or two."

It's also an opportunity for the United States to remind fans why baseball is its national pastime. It hasn't won the WBC since 2017. It came close to reclaiming the title in 2023. However, the team lost 3-2 to Japan in the final when Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani struck out Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout on the game's final at-bat.

"Now it's time for us to go out there and change that script," Judge said on Feb. 28, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

The Americans have a strong chance of writing a different narrative in 2026. As of Wednesday night, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Team USA as the favorite (-110) to win the tournament ahead of the Dominican Republic (+360) and Japan (+380). However, the gap isn't huge. 

Ohtani is playing for Team Japan again this year. The Dominican Republic, meanwhile, fields a stacked squad that features New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto and Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

The Americans, though, can clearly compete with either of these squads, especially if their bats keep rocking in their first WBC game against Team Brazil on Friday at Daikin Park in Houston (8 p.m. ET).