It’s the electric, bat-flipping brilliance of the Dominican Republic’s loaded lineup versus the electric, bat-defying brilliance of Paul Skenes’ right arm. It’s the intensity of Team USA, relishing in the bonding experience but also fully aware of the gold-or-bust stakes, versus the showmanship and looseness of a Dominican Republic club

Monday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal clash between Italy and Venezuela carries a little extra meaning for Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli. Cervelli was born and raised in Venezuela. His mother, Damelis, is Venezuelan. Cervelli’s Italian roots come from his father, Emanuele, who was born in Italy, but he immigrated to

Guardians infielder Brayan Rocchio is joining Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic ahead of the team’s semifinal matchup with Venezuela on Monday, manager Francisco Cervelli announced on Sunday. Rocchio replaces Mariners infielder Miles Mastrobuoni, who suffered a calf injury during Italy’s victory over the U.S. in pool play.

The World Baseball Classic has been a stage for players across the world to show off their talents, and plenty of prospects have thrived in the spotlight. Players ranked on organizational Top 30 Prospects lists have shown out, in particular.

It's the matchup everyone's been waiting for at the World Baseball Classic, the tournament's unstoppable force meeting its immovable object: Paul Skenes vs. the Dominican Republic lineup. "It’s going to be electric," United States pitcher Logan Webb said. "I expect it to be one of the best games of all

Put on the espresso because Italy is coming! For the first time in tournament history, the azzurri are in the semifinals, its team of espresso-shot-taking, cheek-kissing home run hitters blasting its way to Miami. Italy has hit the second-most home runs in the tournament behind the Dominican Republic, with Vinnie

MIAMI -- The champs are out at the World Baseball Classic. This was Venezuela's night. Venezuela took down Japan, the 2023 WBC champions, with an 8-5 come-from-behind win in the quarterfinals at loanDepot park on Saturday night. Wilyer Abreu crushed a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning off Hiromi

MIAMI -- Cubs star Seiya Suzuki exited Japan's World Baseball Classic quarterfinal loss against Venezuela with right knee discomfort following a stolen-base attempt in the first inning. Suzuki walked off the field limping after he was caught stealing to end the bottom of the first during Japan's 8-5 loss on

Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Ronald Acuña Jr: This is the platonic ideal of the World Baseball Classic. With a nearly packed crowd at Miami’s loanDepot park, Saturday's quarterfinal matchup -- an 8-5 Venezuela win over Japan -- started with the reigning World Series MVP Award winner taking on the 2023 NL

It's down to the final four in baseball's version of March Madness. What has been an epic World Baseball Classic moves to the semifinal stage starting tonight, when Team USA and the Dominican Republic face off at 8 p.m. ET at loanDepot park in Miami with a trip to Tuesday's

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

The Dominican Republic has thoroughly dominated the World Baseball Classic, turning each contest into less of a game than a celebration of Dominican baseball and spirit. The team has smashed a tournament-best 14 home runs, hitters launching their bats with a joyous expulsion as the rest of the team spills

HOUSTON -- The afternoon start time at Daikin Park was conducive to a new, beautifully bizarre reality out in Italy. There, the locals could gather in the evening hours Saturday and converse not just about “calcio,” or soccer, while sipping on their espressos and digestivi but also lock in on

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- At the core of the game of baseball, having fun is what the sport is all about. Nobody in this year’s World Baseball Classic may be having as much fun as Team Dominican Republic. Although there were several Red Sox players showing their stuff for various

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Joe Ryan is not expected to pitch in the World Baseball Classic after all, the Twins confirmed on Saturday. The club learned Friday night that Ryan would not be added to Team USA as previously expected. Instead, Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman was added. Ryan, who

In the pages of the New York Times in the spring of 2005, a just-announced tournament to be known as the “World Baseball Classic” was being touted for one particular potential pairing. “Baseball’s first world cup will probably be decided,” David Leonhardt wrote, “by a matchup between one of the

Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman will take Clayton Kershaw's place on Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster. The righty was added to the roster after the team's quarterfinal win over Canada on Friday night. Kershaw, who retired after last season, came out of retirement to participate in the Classic but

Cal Raleigh is certainly consistent. Four days after Team USA’s catcher declined to shake hands with Team Mexico outfielder Randy Arozarena at the World Baseball Classic -- leading to some choice words postgame -- a similar situation played out, featuring Raleigh and a different Mariners teammate. During the first inning

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The best things happening to the Blue Jays aren’t happening in Dunedin. The World Baseball Classic is bringing out the biggest, brightest, loudest version of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and it’s only the middle of March. One of baseball’s greatest showmen is starting early.

MIAMI — The Dominican Republic has battered its opponents this World Baseball Classic, launching home runs with abandon, with wild celebrations at home plate. But that doesn’t mean they can’t score in other ways. In Friday night's 10-0 quarterfinal victory against Korea, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drew a second-inning walk against

HOUSTON – Team USA has definitely “punched its ticket” this time. And it’s a ticket to a real heavyweight bout. After a tumultuous couple of days emanating from a regrettable MLB Network interview segment for manager Mark DeRosa and a lamentable loss to upstart Italy, the American dream in this

HOUSTON -- Clayton Kershaw has hung ‘em up. Again. Team USA’s 5-3 win over Canada in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic on Friday night at Daikin Park served as Kershaw’s final game on an active roster. He’ll be replaced prior to the semifinals against the Dominican Republic by

MIAMI -- Vlad Jr. went airborne. Juan Soto went swimming. Austin Wells went deep off the facing of the second deck. And the Dominican Republic went on to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic. The D.R. rolled past Korea, 10-0, in a seven-inning, run-rule shortened game in the opening

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The ball soared over the fence. Hiram Bithorn Stadium erupted in revelry. Darell Hernaiz skipped around the bases, the ballpark lights strobing overhead, as his teammates waited to receive him at home plate. And the Puerto Rican fans sang along to "Preciosa," swelling with pride and love