Team USA needed some help, but the star-studded lineup led by Yankees superstar Aaron Judge and Pirates ace Paul Skenes can turn their attention to the quarterfinals at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The USA finished as Pool B runner-up after a shocking loss to Italy. Prior to that defeat, the USA had defeated…
It’s not surprising to see Japan and the Dominican Republic emerge from World Baseball Classic pool play undefeated. The third unbeaten squad, though? It’s not who anyone would’ve expected. The 20-team field is down to eight, and while pool play didn’t go the way Team USA would’ve envisioned, the dream team survived thanks to Italy’s…
DAIKIN PARK (Houston) – Months before he was distributing espresso shots and cheek-kisses to home-run hitters in the dugout and handing out bottles of wine to the players on the best team in Italy’s baseball history, Vinnie Pasquantino was bored on Thanksgiving. So, the country’s best baseball recruiter used the holiday to reach out to…
George M. Steinbrenner Field (Tampa) – Brian Cashman walked into his office at the spring training facility for the New York Yankees and pulled up a TikTok video on his iPad. He had already seen this video but thought it was funny enough to watch it again. The team’s general manager laughed as the clip…
It came down to the wire, but Team USA is moving on. With Italy‘s 9-1 win over Mexico in the final game of Pool B play, the United States has advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic as the group’s runner-up. Team USA will now play Pool A winners Canada on…
Daikin Park (Houston) — Buongiorno, buon pomeriggio, buonanotte. One night after upsetting Team USA for the biggest victory in Italy baseball history, there was no letdown Wednesday for Italy (4-0) as it finished off a remarkable undefeated run to win Pool B and — finally, officially — help punch USA’s (3-1) ticket to the quarterfinals by…
Team USA can only wait to see whether its campaign continues, or whether its MLB superstars are going back to their respective spring trainings. [WBC Bracket: Standings, Who Is Advancing?] It’s the final day of World Baseball Classic pool play, and we’re set for some drama. Recapping Wednesday’s action. JUMP TO: Canada In, Cuba Out…
Daikin Park (Houston) —Team USA’s buses were scheduled to leave the stadium at 11:30 p.m. on Monday night, but their players weren’t quite ready. Two hours after avenging their 2023 World Baseball Classic loss to Mexico, they remained in the clubhouse at the home of the Houston Astros, chairs turned toward the middle of the…
We are entering the business portion of the World Baseball Classic. Here’s how it’s shaping up. Entering Monday night’s games, Japan and Korea have already qualified out of Pool C. The Dominican Republic and Venezuela have clinched the quarterfinal spots out of Pool D. That leaves four more teams (two from Pool A and B,…
Two quarterfinal spots, three contenders. Pool B of the World Baseball Classic will go down to the wire with the USA, Mexico and Italy looking to advance to the next round. The USA beat Mexico, 5-3, in Monday’s game but lost to Italy, 8-6, on Tuesday. Italy and Mexico play each other on Wednesday. The…
