Team USA may find a pro-Mexican crowd

~ The United States begins WBC play today in Phoenix.

PHOENIX -- Shouts of "Viva Mexico!" might drown out chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A" when the United States takes the field for its World Baseball Classic opener today.

At least a quarter of Arizona's five million residents are Hispanic, so there should be a strong show of support for the "visiting" Mexican team among the 30,000 or so expected for the game at Chase Field.

A hint came Saturday night, when a festive crowd packed Tucson Electric Park to cheer on Mexico's 6-1 exhibition victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"I expect them to be very supportive, and I think that will fuel the USA fans once they get into this atmosphere," U.S. manager Buck Martinez said Monday. "From my understanding in Tucson, they had sombreros and their faces painted and a lot of Mexican flags. It was a bullfight kind of atmosphere, so that will be beautiful in this tournament."

Team USA will send Jake Peavy of the San Diego Padres to the mound.

Mexico will start Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rodrigo Lopez.

"This Mexican team, they're not running out slop," Peavy said. "They've got a very good baseball team with a lot of proven major league players on that roster."

The three Yankees on the U.S. roster -- shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and outfielder Johnny Damon -- will be in the starting lineup today. Lopez was 15-12 last season with a 4.90 ERA. Despite a series of injuries, Peavy was 13-7 with a 2.88 ERA.

Martinez said his lineup will lead off with Damon, followed by Jeter, center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., Rodriguez, designated hitter Mark Teixeira, first baseman Derrek Lee, catcher Brian Schneider, right fielder Randy Winn and second baseman Chase Utley.