Now heading into their fourth season together with the Toronto Blue Jays, Jose Bautista and Marcus Stroman have grown close in recent years, so it's no surprise the two patriots - one, from the Dominican Republic; the other, a proud American - have let some trash talk fly ahead of Saturday's highly anticipated World Baseball Classic showdown between their two countries.

Still, Bautista said, when he steps into the box at Marlins Park and sees Stroman, the scheduled starter for the United States, standing 60 feet, six inches away, things might get a bit uncomfortable.

"It's going to be a little awkward but I've run through the scenario enough in my head that when the time comes I'm going to not let it be in the forefront of my thoughts, and just focus on the task at hand," Bautista told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "He's going to be an opponent in that moment, and unfortunately for our relationship, I have to think about beating him and he has to think about beating me. He's a fierce competitor, he knows I'm the same way and we're out there just battling."

Though both players are known for being animated, at times, on the field, Bautista, playing in his second WBC, was decidedly restrained after launching a mammoth three-run blast Thursday in the Dominican Republic's 9-2 victory over Canada. No matter what happens Saturday, Bautista said, he doesn't anticipate exchanging any chirps with Stroman.

"I don't expect it, but if it happens I know how to take it," he said. "I don't try to get vocal when I'm on the field. I might be a little more animated but I don't really transcend to verbally communicating during competition. He's a fiery guy and that will be on full display (Saturday)."

Bautista knows from experience. Stroman, making his WBC debut, will no doubt relish the challenge of neutralizing a stacked Dominican lineup, and probably won't hesitate to show some emotion during his outing.

Regardless of the outcome, though, they're still going to be boys, Bautista said.

"No matter what happens on the field, he understands that it's competition and it doesn't get to the personal level," he said. "I'm the same way. We can both be feisty in different situations and play with a lot of passion, but we don't mix that up with life outside of baseball."