LB in MLB: Trio of Dirtbags Selected for World Baseball Classic The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 4 to 17, featuring top international talent competing in the global tournament. Three former Long Beach State players have been selected to represent different nations in the event. Outfielder Jarren Duran will play for Team Mexico, infielder Jonathon Long is set to compete for Chinese Taipei, and right-handed pitcher Vance Worley will represent Great Britain. Duran, 29, is an established MLB All-Star with the Boston Red Sox and will make his second appearance in the WBC. After limited playing time in 2023, he is expected to be a key contributor this year. Duran has shown strong performance in Spring Training, hitting .583 with three home runs in 12 at-bats during Grapefruit League games. Long, 24, is a top prospect for the Chicago Cubs but will miss the WBC after suffering an elbow sprain during a collision at first base. The injury forced him to withdraw from the competition, as he prioritized recovery ahead of the upcoming MLB season. “It just didn’t make sense to fly across the world unsure if I could swing a bat,” Long said, emphasizing the importance of being fully healthy for the regular season. Worley, 38, is making his second WBC appearance for Great Britain and will serve as one of the team’s veteran pitchers. The right-hander, who last played in MLB with the Miami Marlins in 2017, has had a long career spanning five organizations. Long Beach State head coach TJ Bruce praised Worley’s competitiveness and professionalism, recalling his time with the Dirtbags. Great Britain’s WBC campaign begins on March 6 with a Pool B opener against Mexico at Daikin Park in Houston. Meanwhile, other Long Beach State alumni have made offseason moves.#world_baseball_classic #jarren_duran #long_beach_state #jonathon_long #vance_worley
Long Beach State Aims to End Five-Game Home Losing Streak Against UC Davis The Long Beach State Beach, with a record of 9-21 overall and 5-13 in the Big West Conference, seek to end a five-game home losing streak when they host the UC Davis Aggies, who carry a 17-12 record and 10-8 mark in conference play, on March 5, 2026. The Aggies are currently listed as slight 1.5-point favorites in the matchup, with the over/under total set at 150.5 points. The game will be broadcast on Fubo, a streaming service offering live sports and on-demand content. Fans can access the platform to watch the action as well as other live events. For those looking to secure tickets, StubHub provides options for men’s college basketball games throughout the season. The contest represents a key opportunity for the Beach to improve their home performance, while the Aggies aim to solidify their position in the conference standings. Both teams will look to leverage their strengths and address weaknesses in a bid to secure a victory.#fubo #long_beach_state #stubhub #uc_davis #big_west_conference
UC Davis Expected to Defend Home Court Against Long Beach State in College Basketball Clash Men’s college basketball action is set for Thursday as UC Davis hosts Long Beach State at Walter Pyramid, with the matchup scheduled to tip off at 10:00 PM ET. Predictions from advanced statistical models suggest UC Davis holds a slight edge in this contest, with a 55% probability of securing the victory. The simulated outcome, based on 10,000 iterations of the game, projects a final score of 74-73 in favor of the Aggies. The predictive model also highlights key betting dynamics, with Long Beach State (+1.5) showing a 51% chance to cover the spread. Meanwhile, the over/under total of 149.5 points is expected to stay under in 54% of simulated scenarios. These projections are derived from machine learning algorithms that analyze historical performance, team statistics, and player data to generate insights for bettors. For those seeking the most favorable wager, the model recommends backing the under 149.5 total points, as the simulated outcomes align more closely with this proposition. The analysis underscores the competitive nature of the matchup, with both teams possessing strengths that could influence the final result. UC Davis’ home-court advantage and recent form are cited as key factors in their favor, while Long Beach State’s offensive capabilities present a potential challenge. The game will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, with the outcome likely hinging on key matchups and defensive execution. As the teams prepare for the clash, the predictive model’s findings provide a data-driven perspective on the likely trajectory of the contest. For bettors, the insights offer a framework for evaluating potential bets, though all outcomes remain subject to the unpredictable nature of live sports.#college_basketball #long_beach_state #uc_davis #walter_pyramid #predictive_model
