Canada hopes for WBC repeat against U.S.

Canada will begin the World Baseball Classic on Saturday afternoon in Toronto against a U.S. team looking to atone for a disappointing result in the tournament three years ago.

The Canadians stunned the American squad in 2006, winning 8-6 in the tournament, but ultimately ended up on the short end of a tiebreaker at the end of the first round.

A repeat would be a welcome surprise. It doesn't get any easier for the Canadians at Rogers Centre as Venezuela is also in Pool C.

While they were just exhibitions, Canada's three games against major-league squads this week hinted the team's tournament play could be exciting — and unpredictable.

Canada dropped the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 and blanked the New York Yankees 6-0, with a 9-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in between.

Eight hurlers had a hand in the shutout, which was notable as the popular narrative has pitching as the biggest question mark given the absence of the likes of Erik Bedard and Rich Harden.

Mike Johnson is expected to start on Saturday. The 33-year-old Johnson pitches in Korea now, after appearing in 81 major-league games  earlier in his career.

On offence, the Canadian batters have an abundance of power, but will try not to eschew fundamentals like moving runners over and being smart on the basepaths.

First baseman Justin Morneau and outfielder Jason Bay lead the hitters, with Joey Votto, Matt Stairs and Cory Koskie also providing pop. Catcher Russell Martin has been hampered by a foot injury, but is expected to play on Saturday.

Stubby Clapp and Peter Orr are among the returnees from the Canadian team of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

U.S. easily handles Phillies

The talk around manager Davey Johnson's American squad has surrounded on not taking the tournament lightly this time around. The U.S. overcame the Canadian upset to advance to the second round in 2006, but that's where they were eliminated.

Japan won the event by defeating Cuba in the final.

The U.S. tuned up on Thursday by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 9-6 on Thursday. Chipper Jones, Ryan Braun, Brian McCann and Adam Dunn blasted home runs.

Jake Peavy is expected to be the starter for the Americans on Saturday.

Pitchers in the first round are limited to a pitch count of 65 but must rest four days if they throw more than 50.

There are 16 teams in the tournament, with the top two of each of the four groups advancing to the next round.

Italy and Venezuela will play Saturday night to round out the Pool C action. 

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, the home country will take on Panama in Pool D, with the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands squaring off.