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
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.
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. In preparation for the action
It's Skenes vs. Team DR's superstar offense -- who has the edge?
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
Joe Ryan not expected to pitch in Classic for Team USA
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
We haven't seen this much talent together in 1 game in a long time
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
Team USA bolsters relief, adds Blue Jays closer Hoffman
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
Raleigh declines another fist bump from a Mariners teammate at World Baseball Classic
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
USA holds off Canada in Classic nail-biter to reach semifinals
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
Kershaw retires -- again -- after time with Team USA
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
Harper, Raleigh, Bregman back in Team USA lineup for quarterfinal tilt vs. Canada
Team USA is going to some familiar stars for their starting lineup in a win-or-go-home matchup to extend their quest for gold in the World Baseball Classic. The Americans will hope the new lineup for their quarterfinal game tonight against Canada (8 ET, FOX) will recapture the magic of their
Joe Ryan could be added to Classic roster if Team USA advances
Twins starter Joe Ryan, who was left off Team USA’s roster during pool play after dealing with back inflammation early in Spring Training, is a possibility to be added to the Team USA roster if it beats Canada in Friday's quarterfinal game (FOX, 8 p.m. ET). Ryan made his spring
World Baseball Classic Power Rankings: Quarterfinals Edition
Twenty teams began in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Only eight clubs remain. The ‘26 WBC quarterfinals will take place in Miami and Houston on Friday and Saturday and there will be some compelling matchups. On Friday night, the Dominican Republic will face Korea (6:30 p.m. ET, FS2), while Team
Ryan heading to Miami for Team USA; Ober, Festa in good spots
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The next step for Joe Ryan is clear: He’s throwing a bullpen session on Saturday. After that? The possibilities are, if not endless, certainly wide open. Ryan still hopes to make an appearance for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. At this point, it is
As USA, Canada ready for rivalry bout, a hockey gold medalist reaches out
HOUSTON -- Members of the United States’ World Baseball Classic team were still in their Spring Training camps when Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime versus Canada to capture the country’s first men’s hockey Olympic gold since 1980. “I was actually doing an interview with some Japanese media
DeRosa clears air on handling of Team USA's loss to Italy
HOUSTON -- Leave it to Team Italy to come through for a guy named DeRosa. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa returned to Daikin Park for his club’s World Baseball Classic workout Thursday afternoon, having survived the public backlash over comments he made on MLB Network earlier in the week that
After shining vs. Great Britain, Holmes departs Classic to rejoin Mets
JUPITER, Fla. -- Mets pitcher Clay Holmes returned from a brief but effective stint with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic on Thursday, removing himself from the tournament due to his need to prepare for the regular season. While Holmes could have remained in Houston to continue pitching in
Everything you need to know about the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals
After a thrilling round of pool play, the World Baseball Classic is about to level up. Eight teams -- two from each pool -- are still alive in their pursuit of a WBC title as the event takes on a tournament-style, single-elimination format. The quarterfinals begin with a two-game slate
Team USA adds 3 relievers in series of roster substitutions
The first round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic provided a bevy of indelible moments and wall-to-wall thrills. We should expect more of the same once the quarterfinals begin on Friday.
Stage may be different, but Ohtani, Judge continue to wow
We got plenty of drama over the past two days of the World Baseball Classic -- and so much more than Team USA had bargained for, right? -- that didn’t involve Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, the two headliners of the whole thing.
USA moves on to quarterfinals after Italy's win over Mexico
After a nerve-racking 24 hours, Team USA can exhale. The U.S. officially punched its ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic with Italy’s 9-1 win over Mexico on Wednesday at Daikin Park in Houston. With a 3-1 record, Team USA finished second in Pool B and will
PCA showing plenty of pop in first World Baseball Classic
The way Pete Crow-Armstrong swung the bat in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game against Italy likely has Cubs fans even more ready to start the season.
Like a shot of espresso, Italy jolts Team USA
HOUSTON – They came here singing canzones. Not Dominic Canzone (though he was there) but Italian “canzones.” As in, songs.