The 2013 World Baseball Classic got underway in four nations this week, with 16 countries taking part in a 17-day festival that culminates March 19 at the AT&T Park in San Francisco. Mexico, the United States and Canada are drawn in Pool D with underdogs Italy.

The big U.S.-Mexico match up is on Friday, March 8 at Chase Field in Phoenix.   Canada plays Mexico on March 9 and the United States and Canada go head to head on March 10.  Japan won the first two editions of the Classic, in 2006 and 2009.  Mexico’s team includes major league pitcher Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers and slugger Adrian Gonzalez of the Red Sox.  The U.S. team is managed by Joe Torre.