Bo Takahashi to Start for Brazil Against Team USA in WBC Opener
bo takahashi will start for Brazil against Team USA on Friday night in Houston, a WBC debut that puts the veteran right-hander at the center of Brazil’s return to the tournament and its underdog opening game against the host country.
Bo Takahashi to take the mound in Houston
Rodrigo “Bo” Takahashi, born in Brazil in 1997 and a 29-year-old right-hander of Japanese descent, has been with Team Brazil for the past decade and will make his World Baseball Classic debut when he takes the mound against the United States in Houston. Takahashi has pitched for Brazil in WBC qualifiers twice; in 2016 he allowed one run in four innings during a qualifier loss, and in 2025 he allowed one run in 2. 1 innings during a different qualifier loss.
As Brazil’s starter for the opener, bo takahashi framed the matchup simply: "I think it's every athlete's dream to represent their home country, " he said, and later added, "The pressure, it's on them. " The start marks his first appearance in an actual World Baseball Classic game, after years of competing in qualifying tournaments.
Brazil leans into the underdog role ahead of the Houston game
Brazil returns to the WBC for the second time ever and for the first time since 2013, opening the tournament with a game against host country USA on Friday night in Houston. The team earned its spot by going 3-1 in last year’s qualifiers and has embraced the underdog label as part of its approach in Houston.
There are a number of familiar faces and veteran ties on the roster: Leonardo Reginatto, 35, serves as team captain; Daniel Yuichi Matsumoto is listed as the manager; and former major league catcher Yan Gomes is on staff as a catching coach. Players have also leaned into Brazil’s identity — Dante Bichette Jr. showed up to a pre-WBC workout at Daikin Park with bright green-dyed hair and a Brazilian-flag bandana ahead of the opener vs. Team USA.
What’s next: Friday night in Houston
Takahashi will make his WBC debut when he takes the mound against the United States on Friday night in Houston, and Brazil will begin its tournament run in that game. The opener is the immediate next event for the team; the Brazilians are set to face the host nation in that first-round matchup in Houston.
The Brazilians are using the WBC to showcase their talent on a global stage after years spent trying to return to the tournament, and the confirmed next milestone is clear: bo takahashi on the mound for Brazil against Team USA in Houston on Friday night.
