McLean raring to go in Classic title tilt: 'I'm built for this'
MIAMI -- When the United States assembled its super team for this World Baseball Classic, the selections were skewed toward established stars not just because of their talent but because of the guaranteed contracts that make them more prone to participate.
3 big lineup decisions facing Team USA in Classic final
Managers often have to pull exactly the right strings to win a big game, and Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic final will be no exception. Ahead of Team USA’s championship clash with Venezuela at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, U.S. manager Mark DeRosa must make some major decisions when it comes
What you need to know about the 2026 World Baseball Classic final
The 2026 World Baseball Classic final is upon us. Team USA punched its ticket Sunday night with a win over the Dominican Republic and will face Venezuela, which defeated Italy on Monday night. The U.S. and Venezuela will match up in the WBC championship on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET
Palencia displaying his mound dominance on global stage
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History of the World Baseball Classic title game
Every time, the World Baseball Classic championship seems to create another legend. He may be best remembered in America for his days with the Red Sox, but Daisuke Matsuzaka rose to the occasion in the WBC's biggest moments, winning the tournament MVP Award twice. Before Edwin Encarnación was known as
Team USA's World Baseball Classic history
After coming up short in 2023, the Americans will get another shot at winning their second tournament championship. With an edge-of-your-seat 2-1 victory over the powerhouse Dominican Republic in the semifinals, Team USA has punched a ticket to its third consecutive World Baseball Classic final. The Americans will face Venezuela,
From Aldegheri to Zhuang, the World Baseball Classic's top performing prospects
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.
Who's available -- and who's not -- out of Team USA 'pen in title game?
MIAMI -- The delicate balance between going for the gold and getting ready for the regular season impacted Team USA’s pitching plans for the World Baseball Classic final. And it will be fascinating to watch how manager Mark DeRosa and the Americans try to piece together the 27 outs that
USA wins coin flip and will be home team in final vs. Venezuela
MIAMI -- When MLB instituted its current postseason format in 2022, there was no longer a need for coin flips or tiebreaker games, because a new, mathematical tiebreaker system was instituted. But lovers of the coin toss will be pleased to know it can still happen in the World Baseball
Bracket, schedule, how to watch 2026 World Baseball Classic
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
Venezuela rallies past Italy to reach first Classic final
MIAMI -- It’s the country that gave us Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown, Luis Aparicio’s game-changing speed, Dave Concepción's Gold Glove defense and Jose Altuve’s October taters. But for all the talent Venezuela has brought to MLB –- more players, in fact, than any foreign nation other than the Dominican Republic
The 'crazy hour' dance that has carried Venezuela through the Classic
Before each game in the World Baseball Classic, Team Venezuela gathers in a circle in its dugout. As pitcher Eduard Bazardo pounds upon a special drum – known as el tambor – the players take turns jumping into and out of the circle to show off their moves. This isn’t
O's want Gunnar in USA lineup again for Classic championship
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There’s a consensus among every player in the Orioles’ Spring Training clubhouse: Gunnar Henderson should be back in the Team USA lineup for Tuesday night’s World Baseball Classic championship game vs. the winner of Monday's Italy-Venezuela semifinal matchup. Sure, maybe these Baltimore players -- all of whom
The one person who didn't want to see Miller vs. Tatis? Craig Stammen
PEORIA, Ariz. -- When Team USA edged the Dominican Republic in a thrilling 2-1 victory in their World Baseball Classic semifinal contest on Sunday night, Padres manager Craig Stammen was certainly watching like much of the baseball world. But it wasn’t easy for the first-year skipper to take in. Because
Roman's monster Classic doesn't surprise his teammates in the slightest
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Another magical moment by Roman Anthony in the World Baseball Classic -- this one a go-ahead solo shot that led Team USA to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Team Dominican Republic in the semifinals on Sunday night -- left his teammates at Red Sox camp in
Nola to start for Italy in semifinal vs. Venezuela, not Lorenzen
Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli is making a change to his pitching plans for tonight's World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup against Venezuela (8 ET on FS1): Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola will get the start instead of previously announced starter Michael Lorenzen.
Electric homer was all proof USA needed that starting Gunnar was right call
Team USA's surplus of elite infielders would leave any manager sick with envy -- in theory. In practice, USA manager Mark DeRosa has to leave a top-tier player on the bench every day, and more often than not, the odd man out has been Gunnar Henderson, crowded out by another
Skenes opens up about Classic experience, wants to bring that excitement to Pittsburgh
MIAMI -- After Paul Skenes exited Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic, he found himself in a conversation with Clayton Kershaw and posed a question to the Dodgers legend. Skenes asked where the WBC -- an incredible event where this particular game packed 36,337 inside a raucous
USA shuts down DR stars in thriller to return to 3rd straight Classic final
MIAMI – The game met the hype. And the Americans met the moment. In a semifinals matchup rife with many of baseball’s biggest names and a game rife with the kind of tension that makes the sport great, Team USA outlasted the Dominican Republic, 2-1, on Sunday night at loanDepot
3 moments that decided USA-Dominican Republic Classic semifinal
Baseball is a game of inches, and that was evident throughout Team USA’s thrilling 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Sunday night in Miami. Yes, the classic contest ended with a disputed called third strike against Dominican Republic shortstop Geraldo Perdomo -- but
Pujols on DR's exit: 'I don't want to focus on the last pitch'
MIAMI -- It was a team seemingly on course with destiny: 13 years after its lone World Baseball Classic title, the Dominican Republic had stormed through its first five games, battering any opponent that stood in its way. It was leading the tournament in home runs, runs scored and pitching
He had a .532 OPS as a rookie. But this Team Italy masher looks ready to break out
A .532 OPS in your rookie season tends to lower expectations, even for one of baseball’s top prospects. But Jac Caglianone has reset them in a hurry this spring. Blasting three balls over 115 mph -- including one at 120.2 mph -- in less than a week will do that.
Top 10 games in World Baseball Classic history, ranked
Since its inception, the World Baseball Classic has been baseball's premier international tournament, bringing top stars the world over together on one stage. The 2026 WBC has seen its share of classic games, with Team USA's one-run win over the Dominican Republic in the semifinals the latest thrilling contest. Venezuela's
Venezuela native Cervelli managing against home country in Classic semis
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
J-Rod flips the script on USA, robbing Judge at the wall
MIAMI – In the bottom of the fourth inning, Dominican Republic center fielder Julio Rodríguez was drilled in the hand by a Paul Skenes fastball. A half-inning later and any lingering pain had surely disappeared. With one out in the top of the fifth inning of the World Baseball Classic