TAMPA -- With the World Baseball Classic semifinals set, on the one side you have two teams everyone expected in Team USA and the Dominican Republic and on the other side, two teams nobody expected, in Venezuela, and the glass slipper-wearing, espresso-drinking Italians.
And no matter who wins the heavyweight bout, there is sure to be a surprise finalist in Tuesday's championship game.
Italy is the only team that has yet to announce a starter for their semifinal game, which will be Monday night. Aaron Nola, fresh off five shutout innings against Mexico last Wednesday, would be on regular rest, and theoretically could be available.
However, the choice might not be Italy's, but rather the Phillies' option.
Because ultimately the MLB teams control the pitcher's schedules, and not the WBC teams.
If the Phillies want to line up Nola for a particular game at the start of the regular season, they will dictate when he next pitches for Italy.
And it's unlikely they want him to go Monday in the semifinal as that throws him off schedule for the regular season. If he were to pitch Monday, he wouldn't line up for when the Phillies would like him to start - which is likely the second game of the season against Texas on March 28.
If he pitches Tuesday, he could start that second game on five days rest.
The Phillies will probably slot Nola between Christopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo to start the season to split up the two lefties.
So, if you're rooting for Team Italy (I mean, who isn't at this point?) and you think you should throw your best pitcher in the semifinals, you might have to settle for Michael Lorenzen and wait for Nola in the championship, if they get there.
And, let's be honest, for Philadelphia baseball fans, how great would it be to have Nola vs. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Team USA in the Championship game?
Aaron Nola says neither Phillies stars Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber reached out to him asking for Nola & Italy to beat Mexico and help Team USA Advance in the WBC
"I don't think anybody in the clubhouse was worried about USA getting in or not getting in" pic.twitter.com/RuVEC63ryP
What a storyline that would be after he saved their butts and got them into the knockout round by shutting down Mexico.
It's certainly possible. The Italians and the Americans just need to hit a parlay to make it happen.
There's been a lot of conversation about the Phillies starting pitching depth.
There is a reason to feel good about the rotation with Sanchez and Luzardo at the top, Zack Wheeler looking like he'll be back in the mix sooner than anticipated, Nola having an outstanding spring, and Andrew Painter set to make his Major League debut.
Beyond that there is Taijuan Walker and then a cast of characters most fans are unfamiliar with, meaning the Phillies could be scrambling to find some pitching depth, as nobody gets through a season with just six starters.
One guy who has made an impression this spring is veteran Bryse Wilson, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Once a promising prospect for the Atlanta Braves, where he started an NLCS game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, Wilson has bounced around the league and fluctuated between starting and relieving duties.
He had his most success in 2023 and 2024 for the Milwaukee Brewers where he made 87 appearances (nine starts) and went 11-4 with a 3.42 ERA and a solid 1.186 WHIP.
However, in 2025 he endured the worst season of his career while pitching for the Chicago White Sox with a 6.65 ERA and a 1.817 WHIP across 47 1/3 innings.
He signed with the Phillies in December and has been given a regular turn in the rotation this spring.
His latest outing was his best. Facing a lineup of mostly Major League hitters against the Yankees on Saturday, Wilson pitched three scoreless innings and didn't allow a hit while walking two and striking out one.
"There's just a little bit of a different read and at bat that you get against guys that have been around for awhile," Wilson said. "You kind of understand what they're doing, so to be able to get those reactions on how my stuff is playing is pretty big."
Wilson is a guy the Phillies think can be the next guy in line if a starter is needed, and he's proven his versatility in the past that he could come into a game out of the bullpen as well, usually in a multi-inning role.
"He's not going to light up any radar guns, but when he commands the baseball, he's going to get guys out because the cutter is good, the slider is good, and he did that in the first and third innings, especially," manager Rob Thomson said. "He's got experience and he's not going to scare, that's for sure. He's a tough guy, so he's really important to this group."
Wilson appears to be ahead of pitchers currently on the 40-man roster, like Alan Rangel, who was optioned back to Triple-A, and Jean Cabrera.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see him make a few starts for the Phillies in 2026.
While the main event on Saturday was watching Wheeler face live hitters for the first time since last August, Orion Kerkering was the undercard, doing the same thing.
Kerkering threw 18 pitches to live hitters and felt pretty good afterwards.
The plan for him is next pitch in a Grapefruit League game. Thomson said that he'd like to get him an inning on Tuesday against Minnesota.
There's still a chance that Kerkering can be on the Opening Day roster and not have to start the season on the I.L. He has missed time this spring with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
