The ultimate day of group stage contests in the World Baseball Classic has concluded, and the United States will indeed advance.
During Wednesday’s initial match, Canada secured a 7-2 win against Cuba, progressing to the quarterfinals, knocking Cuba out, and overtaking Puerto Rico to claim Pool A. Owen Caissie and Otto Lopez contributed two RBIs apiece to Canada’s triumph, while pitcher Cal Quantrill pitched five innings, conceding only a single run.
Following a surprising 8-6 defeat to Italy on Tuesday, the United States required Italy to overcome Mexico on Wednesday – or for Mexico to win by no more than four runs in a full nine-inning game – to qualify for the quarterfinals. Italy comfortably managed its task, achieving a commanding 9-1 victory, fueled by three home runs from Vinnie Pasquantino. This outcome guaranteed the United States’ progression to the knockout stage, arranging a quarterfinal encounter with Canada. Italy, having won Pool B, is slated to face Puerto Rico.
The concluding game on Wednesday saw Venezuela and the Dominican Republic compete for dominance in Pool D. Both teams held a 3-0 record and had already secured their places in the quarterfinals, but this specific match would determine the group’s top finisher. The Dominican hitters showcased their signature power, with blasts from Juan Soto, Ketel Marte, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. establishing a 7-3 advantage by the fourth inning. Venezuela initiated a rally in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two rapid runs without any outs, yet the Dominican Republic maintained its lead to clinch the victory. Consequently, the D.R. will face Korea in the subsequent round, while Venezuela will contend with Pool C victor, Japan.
This current year signifies the sixth occurrence of this global baseball competition, with Japan holding the title as defending champions, having overcome Team USA 3-2 in the 2023 championship game. The American squad has claimed one WBC trophy, achieved in 2017, and is now seeking another with an impressive lineup featuring 22 MLB All-Stars – the highest number of any team in the competition. Notable players representing Team USA include Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh, and Aaron Judge, among other prominent figures, with the U.S. commencing the tournament as the favored team (-105) ahead of Japan (+350) according to BetMGM.
The quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Friday and Saturday (March 13 and 14), with the semifinals taking place on Sunday and Monday (March 15 and 16). The entire event concludes with the WBC championship game on Tuesday, March 17, held at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Broadcasts of the games will be available on Fox, FS1, FS2, and Fox Deportes, while all matches can be streamed with a Fox One subscription.
Stay updated with Yahoo Sports for current information and developments regarding the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Salvador Perez hit into a double play, flawlessly handled by Manny Machado, concluding this contest.
The Dominican Republic managed to secure victory in Pool D, ending with a 4-0 record. Venezuela attempted a late rally in the ninth inning but ultimately finished group play at 3-1, moving on to the quarterfinals as the second-place team.
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Willson Contreras struck a ball that had the potential to be a game-ending double play, however, Alvarado’s throw was errant, allowing an additional run to cross the plate.
The score stands at 7-5 in favor of the D.R. with two outs remaining. These represent the initial runs conceded by the Dominican relief pitching corps in this competition.
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A sacrifice fly by Luis Arraez brought in a run, yet more significantly, the D.R. at last recorded the first out of the frame.
The score is 7-4 for the D.R. with two outs still needed.
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Maikel Garcia earned a four-pitch walk, marking the third consecutive walk and loading the bases with no outs recorded in the bottom of the ninth.
Elvis Alvarado is now pitching in relief of Abner Uribe, and for Venezuela, Luis Arraez is stepping up to the plate representing the potential tying run.
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Ronald Acuña Jr. received a walk, making the situation officially more nerve-wracking than the D.R. would prefer.
Zero outs have been recorded so far.
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Furthermore, Venezuela now has a player on base with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
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Vlad Jr. also reached base during the top half of the inning, but in the end, the D.R. failed to score.
The score remains 7-3 as the game proceeds to the bottom of the ninth in Miami.
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Following an initial burst of scoring, both teams’ offenses have been held without runs and fairly subdued over the last four innings in Miami.
Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a single to start the top of the ninth. The D.R. continues to hold a 7-3 advantage.
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Team Italy has achieved a feat that Team USA has never accomplished: Concluding the group stage without a single loss.
Italy cemented its 4-0 standing by securing a commanding win against Mexico in Houston. This outcome means Italy takes Pool B, Team USA finishes second, and Mexico is knocked out.
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Ryan Young
Mexico managed to load the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Ornelas hit a fly ball to right field, which concluded the frame.
Italy will proceed into the ninth inning maintaining a 9-1 lead.
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Ryan Young
Mexico’s score is now inconsequential. Pasquantino has just launched his third home run of the evening, extending Italy’s lead to 8-1 in the eighth. The game is effectively decided.
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Ryan Young
Mexico has finally registered a run and appeared poised for more, but Duran was just struck out swinging with two runners on in the seventh, after La Sorsa entered the game for the Italian side.
Italy’s advantage currently stands at 7-1 as they move into the eighth inning, and the Americans’ position in the quarterfinals remains secure.
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An additional home run, on this occasion a three-run smash by Fernando Tatis Jr., expanded the Dominicans’ lead to 7-3 in the upper half of the fourth inning.
Also, an impressive bat flip was observed.
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Venezuela narrowed the score to 4-3 thanks to RBI doubles hit by Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez in the lower half of the third frame.
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Ryan Young
Mexico mishandled the ball in the outfield, resulting in another run for Italy. The score is now 7-0 in the seventh after Jon Berti secured another hit. Italy appears to be fully in command with only a few innings left.
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Ketel Marte launched a solo shot, increasing the D.R.’s lead to 3-1.
Vlad Guerrero Jr. then hit two batters later, pushing the score to 4-1 in the third.
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Jack Baer
Team USA is set to qualify for the elimination rounds, unless certain highly particular extra-inning situations occur. What level of specificity are we discussing? The most probable pathway now would involve Mexico achieving a walk-off victory against Italy 7-6 with at least one out in the 12th inning. Under such circumstances, Mexico and Italy would progress.
The U.S. cannot be eliminated if this match concludes in 11 innings or fewer, and additional runs scored by Italy further diminish that prospect. The American team can likely begin their celebrations already.
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Jack Baer
The score is 6-0 in favor of Italy after their captain, Vinnie Pasquantino, belted his second home run of the contest.
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Jack Baer
Italy establishes a 5-0 advantage with a bases-loaded single by Jakob Marsee, a hit that guarantees Team USA’s progression to the knockout stages, assuming no extra innings. Either Italy will emerge victorious, or Mexico will need to score a minimum of six runs.
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Jack Baer
Juan Soto crushed a home run during the opening inning, providing his team with a 2-0 advantage.
