Pestano, Perez to represent USA in third World Baseball Classic (Video)

Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez are already used to wearing red, white and blue for the Cleveland Indians as the dominant right-handed pitching duo in the Tribe bullpen.

This offseason, the pair will wear the patriotic colors for the U.S. national team, representing the country in the second World Baseball Classic.

Perez, a two-time all star as the Indians' closer, will round out a bullpen expected to include San Diego Padres reliever Luke Gregerson.

"I am happy to say that I will be pitching for Team USA in the upcoming 2013 WBC. #Honored #Humbled #Ready," Perez tweeted this past weekend.

Pestano has been a standout reliever for the Tribe bullpen, posting a 2.45 ERA and 3.33 strike out per walk ratio over the past two seasons.

"Just got the second best phone call of my career. I'm going to be wearing the Stars and Stripes in the WBC. #trulyhonored #childhooddream," Pestano also tweeted.

The international baseball tournament first began in 2006 and has since been replayed in 2009. Japan enters this coming tournament as the defending champions, having won both contests.

This coming year's tournament features 16 teams from various countries including Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei and others.

The U.S. team will play its first game on March 8 against Mexico at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Are you excited for the World Baseball Classic? Leave your thoughts below in the comment section!

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Tyler Buchanan is a senior at Bowling Green State University, where he studies Journalism and Political Science. Buchanan is lead political reporter for The BG News, an independent student newspaper for BGSU. He also serves as the paper's InFocus editor. Buchanan has also written for the Sandusky...

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