Undefeated USA looks to advance with win vs. Italy (9 p.m. ET, FS1)
HOUSTON -- Team USA is one win away from sweeping through Pool B of the World Baseball Classic and punching its ticket to the quarterfinals.
After a huge win against rival Mexico on Monday night at Daikin Park, the U.S. is undefeated with one game to go. But that game is against Italy, which is also unbeaten so far and looking to make a run at this Classic.
"All these teams are good in this tournament. It's not just them. But it's going to be fun to go against those boys," Italy's Miles Mastrobuoni said. "We're going to give them everything we've got, for sure."
Even after beating Mexico behind stellar performances from Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Bobby Witt Jr. and Roman Anthony, Team USA hasn't clinched a spot in the next round yet. With Italy and Mexico still to play each other in the Pool B finale on Wednesday, there's currently the possibility of a three-way tie for first, from which only two teams would advance.
So this game against Italy is important for the United States.
"They've got a great roster," U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said. "And to be honest with you, with Mexico playing Italy the day after us, we will approach it like it's a must-win game."
Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:
When and where: Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, Daikin Park
How you can watch: The USA-Italy game will air on FS1.
The FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports App and Tubi will combine to air all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in the United States, and all matchups will be available to stream live and on-demand on FOX One. Additionally, 41 out of the 47 contests will air in Spanish across a combination of FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App, Tubi and FOX One.
Netflix Japan will stream all tournament games in Japanese.
How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.
Team results: The U.S. is riding high after beating a longtime WBC foe in Mexico, which has had the team's number in past Classics. Team USA is now 3-0 in Pool B with a 15-5 win over Brazil on Friday, 9-1 win over Great Britain on Saturday and 5-3 win over Mexico on Monday.
Italy has won its first two games against Brazil, 8-0, and Great Britain, 7-4. The Italians have hit five home runs over those two games, two by Dante Nori and once each by Dominic Canzone, Andrew Fischer and J.J. D'Orazio.
Probable starting pitchers: TBA (Italy) vs. TBA (USA)
What’s at stake: The United States will wrap up a first-place finish in Pool B with a win and move on to the Houston quarterfinals. But things could get complicated if Italy pulls off the upset.
If Italy beats Team USA, and then loses to Mexico on Wednesday, there would be a three-way tie atop Pool B at 3-1. Then the WBC tiebreaker rules would decide who advances to the quarterfinals. The U.S. certainly doesn't want to leave it up to that.
If Italy beats the U.S. and beats Mexico, then Italy would win Pool B and the U.S. would advance as the second seed from the pool.
Matchup history: The U.S. and Italy have faced each other in the World Baseball Classic once before, in the first round in 2013. Team USA won that matchup, 6-2, at Chase Field in Arizona. The original Captain America before Judge, David Wright, led the way with a tiebreaking grand slam.