Brazil seeks first Classic win as Italy makes '26 tourney debut (1 p.m. ET, FOX Sports App)

HOUSTON -- Italy kicks off its 2026 World Baseball Classic run in a pool with two giants of the sport -- the United States and Mexico. But this Team Italy roster might be the best one yet, and the country has high hopes coming off a quarterfinal appearance in 2023.

"I think those two [the U.S. and Mexico] are probably the betting favorites, I would have to assume," Italy slugger Vinnie Pasquantino said earlier this week. "But it is baseball. It doesn't matter."

Before they go through the U.S. and Mexico, though, the Italians need to take on an underdog Brazil team that's hungry for its first WBC win.

Italy will play its WBC opener against Brazil on Saturday at Daikin Park, the last team in Pool B to take the field after the other four played Friday. The Brazilians, who drew the heavy favorite Team USA in their first game, put up a spirited fight but lost, 15-5. Twenty-year-old Lucas Ramirez -- Manny's son -- led the way with two home runs in a sensational WBC debut, including the 10th leadoff homer in Classic history off Giants All-Star Logan Webb.

Team Brazil is playing in its second World Baseball Classic (the first was back in 2013). Even one win this time around would be historic for the country as its first in WBC play.

But it won't come easily against Italy, which is sending plenty of Major League talent to this tournament -- including Pasquantino, who's returning from WBC 2023, and up-and-comers like outfielder Jac Caglianone, catcher Kyle Teel and Saturday's starting pitcher, Sam Aldegheri (Angels' No. 17 prospect).

Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:

When and where: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET/12 CT, Daikin Park

How you can watch: The Brazil-Italy matchup will stream on the FOX Sports App.

How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.

Team results: Italy is playing its first game of the tournament. Brazil is 0-1, but its game against the U.S. was still a promising start, as Brazil kept it close until late in the game and scored its most runs in a WBC game.

Probable starting pitchers: TBD (Brazil) vs. LHP Sam Aldegheri (Italy)

What’s at stake: Italy needs to get off to a good start, especially after Team USA and Mexico both opened with wins in Pool B. If Brazil is somehow going to shock the world and advance out of the pool, it will have to start here. But even putting the standings aside, that first World Baseball Classic win would mean a lot.

Matchup history: Italy and Brazil have not met before in the World Baseball Classic. The two teams were in different pools in Brazil's only previous Classic appearance in 2013.