
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is officially underway after Chinese Taipei and Australia began their pool play on Wednesday night in Tokyo, Japan. There is one player for the Chicago White Sox who took part in this game, playing for Team Australia. He would be in the starting lineup and be a contributor in the game. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what he was able to do against Chinese Taipei.
The White Sox have a handful of players participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but Curtis Mead was the first player for the organization to participate. He would get the start at third base in the opening game of the tournament and was second in the lineup against Chinese Taipei.
Mead would finish the game going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles, including the first hit in the tournament with a single in the first inning. He would pop up to the second baseman to end the third inning and strand a runner on base. His third at-bat would take place in the bottom of the fifth inning with a runner on second base. Mead would strike out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, he would rip a single to left field for his second hit of the day. Mead would do well in the field, with the only possible issue being in the top of the ninth inning, as a throw he made would initially be ruled as an error, but would be overturned on instant replay.
The next game for Mead and Team Australia will be facing off on Thursday night against Team Czechia. It will be interesting to see if he is back in the lineup and producing once again.
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