Last week, Team USA announced its initial roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, with two Twins stars earning a role in the team ahead of the international baseball competition this March.

Our reliever, Glen Perkins, will fight for a place against some of baseball’s best. He is one of four lefties in the roster that includes young Royals pitcher, Tim Collins and San Francisco reliever, Jeremy Affeldt, who pitched in the World Series last fall.

Meanwhile, infielder, Joe Mauer, a native Minnesota boy, faces competition with Yankees’ Mark Teixeria for first base and Jonathan Lucroy of Milwaukee for catcher.

It is both players’ first call-up to the USA team for the World Baseball Classic, which takes place in four countries this year and is the third tournament of its kind after 2006 and 2009.

Along with the Twins’ USA pair, Canada have brought in first baseman, Justin Mourneau, meaning Minnesota fans betting MLB World Series have some players to follow this spring.

Team USA sit in a competitive Pool D alongside Mexico, Canada and Italy, and with just one game against each opponent in the group stage, there is little room for error. If Perkins is called up to close out a game he must fulfil that role – something he’s achieved over the last two seasons with 143 strikeouts in 132 innings, emerging as one of the best lefties the American League has to offer.

Although the World Baseball Classic is still finding its feet in the international calendar and may not get the full attention it deserves, the tournament will only increase in prestige and popularity over the years and Team USA are firm favourites to take the title this March, according to MLB betting news pundits.

It is great credit for these three Twins players to get the chance to represent their country, and, should they prove a success this spring, they will make Minnesota proud.