Team USA fans worried after manager hints at Merrill Kelly starting in WBC 2023 title game : "Lord help us"

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced that Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly is first in line to be the starting pitcher for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final. The USA reached the final after rolling over Cuba in a one-sided 14-2 win in the first semifinal.

The game saw more heroics from infielder Trea Turner, who hit two home runs to follow up his grand slam in the quarterfinals against Venezuela. Paul Goldschmidt was the other home run hero for the team, starting the scoring in the first.

Defensively too, Team USA looked strong as veteran All-Star Adam Wainwright started for them. The job was finished off brilliantly by relievers Miles Mikolas and Aaron Loup as they gave away just one run.

After the game, Mark DeRosa talked about the pitching rotation they will go with for the final. He hinted that Merrill Kelly is the first choice for the management who have to look after everyone's workload as the MLB regular season approaches.

Fans weren't happy at this announcement as Kelly didn't impress on the mound against Colombia. He surrendered two runs on four hits, with two walks and one strikeout across three innings.

Some fans already called the game.

There were calls for other options to be used in Merrill Kelly's place, with fans asking the management to bring in Kyle Freeland or Lance Lynn.

Team USA will face either Team Mexico or Team Japan in the final.