WBC 2023 - How Team USA is managing MLB playoff-level pressure

PHOENIX — Just over five months since he made his first MLB postseason appearance with the New York Mets, Pete Alonso was gearing up for another pressure-filled stretch of baseball — this time, for Team USA.

«My first playoff experience was this past season,» Alonso told the gathered crowd at World Baseball Classic media day. «It was only three games and it was a short-lived playoff experience. And after we were done, the feeling I came back with was, 'Man, I want more of this.'

»Because that playoff baseball feeling, it's addictive. And I want to put myself in every opportunity to be in those high-pressure, high-leverage situations. I mean, pressure is a privilege."

Longtime St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, an experienced MLB playoff veteran, was sitting next to Alonso and nodded in agreement. When the news conference ended, Wainwright was still smiling about what his Team USA teammate had said.

«Pressure is a privilege,» he said to Alonso as they got up from their chairs. «Man, that's good.»

It's an attitude the entire team has embraced during the opening round of the WBC. As the defending champions from 2017, anything less than a deep run for Team USA would be considered a disappointment. With each pressure-packed at-bat, scrutinized pitching decision or unifying rally, it has become clear that October arrived early this year.

«There's going to be some big games coming up,» all-world outfielder Mike Trout said earlier in the week. «We don't always get that at this time of year.»

Count Wednesday night as one of them. After a surprise loss to Mexico, the U.S. went from group favorite to in danger of being sent home with another slipup. The squad rebounded with a rout over Canada on Monday night, and now