Nicaragua, Dominican Republic clash in '23 Classic rematch (Friday, 7 p.m. ET on FS2)
MIAMI -- The Dominican Republic was the first team in World Baseball Classic history to go undefeated en route to the title, but that feels like a long time ago for the baseball-crazed country.
After being eliminated in the first round three years ago, the Dominican -- which features one of the most star-studded rosters in the tournament -- is on a mission in 2026.
“This team has a mission, has a task, which is winning this championship,” manager Albert Pujols said. “I am not comfortable. No one is comfortable.”
Nicaragua, on the other hand, is participating in its second Classic, having qualified for the first time in 2023. Dusty Baker is guiding the team for the first time, hoping to shock the world by knocking off the mighty Dominican club, calling it a David versus Goliath situation.
“You just have to play with the power of belief and a power that you can dig deep down inside to get what you want if you really believe,” Baker said. “We know we're playing a great team, a powerhouse team. But I've been on powerhouse teams and lost, too.”
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Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:
When and where: Friday, 7 p.m. ET, loanDepot park
How you can watch: FS2
How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.
Probable starting pitchers: RHP Ronald Medrano (Nicaragua) vs. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (Dominican Republic)
What’s at stake: Perhaps no team has as much pressure on it as the Dominican Republic, which won its only title in 2013 and didn’t get past the first round in 2023.
Matchup history: The Dominican Republic beat Nicaragua, 6-1, in their only meeting back in 2023. Juan Soto and Manny Machado -- who are back on the 2026 squad -- both homered in the win.