The best M’s vs M’s matchups we could see in World Baseball Classic

The last World Baseball Classic ended on an amazing note, with two of the best players in baseball – Japan pitcher Shohei Ohtani and USA outfielder Mike Trout – facing off in the final at-bat of the championship game despite being actual Los Angeles Angels teammates at the time.

TV Guide: When you can watch Mariners in World Baseball Classic

Now in the 2026 WBC, the Seattle Mariners could be the AL West team providing memorable matchups thanks to a whopping 18 players from their organization involved, including 2025 All-Stars Cal Raleigh (USA), Julio Rodríguez (Dominican Republic), Randy Arozarena (Mexico) and Andrés Muñoz (Mexico).

With the WBC taking center stage over the next few weeks, here’s a look at some of the best Mariners vs. Mariners matchups we could see in the international showcase.

Pool Play (March 5-11)

• M’s past meets M’s future: Canada vs. Colombia (Pool A, Puerto Rico)

This is one that could be especially fun. Former Mariners standout starting pitcher James Paxton has come out of retirement to represent his home country of Canada. Should the 37-year-old lefty from Ladner, B.C., get the call in the Canadians’ opener, he could match up against 21-year-old Colombian infielder Michael Arroyo, who is knocking of the door of the Mariners roster as the No. 67 overall prospect in the game as ranked by MLB Pipeline.

When/where: Saturday, March 7 | 8 a.m. | TV: FS2

• High leverage: Mexico vs. USA (Pool B, Houston)

Mexico-USA is one of the most anticipated games of pool play, and the Mariners have a dynamic duo of a hitter with a knack for big moments plus a dominant relief pitcher on each side. That means we could see 60-homer slugger Cal Raleigh step up against two-time All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz in the late innings, or Randy Arozarena – who had a huge WBC for Mexico in 2023 – face M’s and USA lefty Gabe Speier in a tense moment.

When/where: Monday, March 9 | 5 p.m. | TV: FOX

• Left on left: USA vs. Italy (Pool B, Houston)

Sticking with Speier, there’s the possibility of power-hitting lefty Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone coming up with runners on base for Italy, prompting USA manager Mark DeRosa to call for the 30-year-old southpaw to get a big out out of the bullpen against his Seattle teammate.

When/where: Tuesday, March 10 | 6 p.m. | TV: FS1

• Right on right: Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic (Pool D, Miami)

Star center fielder Julio Rodríguez doesn’t have a lot of Mariners company in Pool D, but an intriguing matchup potentially awaits in the final game of pool play. That’s because Eduard Bazardo, who was a breakout righty in Seattle’s bullpen and already got a clean inning of WBC work in during a win over the Netherlands on Friday, is likely the best reliever on the Venezuela roster. Things could get very interesting if this proves to be a must-win game for either squad to be one of the two teams moving on from the pool to the quarterfinals.

When/where: Wednesday, March 11 | 5 p.m. | TV: FS1

The dream matchups (March 13-17)

The top two teams from each pool will advance to a final single-elimination tournament to determine the World Baseball Classic championship, where even bigger potential M’s vs. M’s meetings could happen.

• Battle for North America: Canada vs. USA

If first baseman Josh Naylor, who is captain of the Canada team, can help his home country make it through pool play, there’s the potential that the gritty lefty hitter could find himself in a big spot against gritty lefty fireman Speier.

• Break out “The Rock”: Dominican Republic vs. Mexico

No Mariners starting pitcher is in the WBC at least for pool play, but three-time All-Star right-hander Luis Castillo could be chosen from the Dominican Republic’s designated pitcher pool to join the team if it advances. That means Castillo could get the start against Arozarena and Team Mexico, for example.

• The Big One – Julio and Big Dumper: Dominican Republic vs. USA

This would be the closest thing to a Mariners version of Ohtani-Trout. Just imagine Rodríguez at the plate in the final at-bat with the game on the line, with his M’s teammate Raleigh behind the plate trying to get him out. If you ever wondered how Raleigh would approach calling the pitches to his fellow Mariners All-Star, this would provide the answer – and some serious clubhouse bragging rights for the winner.

Seattle Mariners news and analysis

• Three Mariners Injury Updates: Brash, Miller, and now Robles
• Seattle Mariners’ Cole Young flexes power with two-homer day
• Hyphen has one concern about Seattle Mariners in WBC
• Mariners’ Randy Arozarena should benefit from change this year
• Drayer: There’s something different about this group of M’s prospects
• Seattle Mariners have a new top 30 prospect list for 2026

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