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Perfect Italy surges into quarterfinals powered by caffeine and kisses

10:18 PM EDT

HOUSTON – Behind a “Mr. March”-like performance from Vinnie Pasquantino in the first three-homer game in the history of the World Baseball Classic, Team Italy has earned the top seed coming out of Pool B. And one big “Grazie!” from Team USA.

USA moves on to quarterfinals after Italy's win over Mexico

@Theo_DeRosa
10:19 PM EDT

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

Everything you need to know about the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals 

@jared_greenspan and @Theo_DeRosa and @bmags94
an hour ago

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

Pasquantino, Don of Team Italy, makes Classic history with 3-HR game

@bmags94
10:01 PM EDT

It was quite the night for Vinnie Pasquantino. Pasquantino, Italy’s captain, crushed three home runs against Mexico in the final game of play in Pool B at Houston’s Daikin Park on Wednesday night. In the process, Pasquantino became the first player with a three-homer game in the World Baseball Classic

D.R. holds off Venezuela rally in 9th to claim top seed in Pool D

21 minutes ago

MIAMI -- It's a miracle the roof stayed on loanDepot park. The juggernaut Dominican Republic lineup put on an epic fireworks display to beat Venezuela and take first place in Pool D at the World Baseball Classic. The D.R. mashed four home runs -- one each by Juan Soto, Ketel

D.R. hits some of the most electric home runs we've ever seen vs. Venezuela

6 minutes ago

MIAMI -- This Dominican Republic lineup is all-time. And so are its home run celebrations. Juan Soto, Ketel Marte, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. all crushed monster home runs in the heavyweight bout between the D.R. and Venezuela on Wednesday night at the World Baseball Classic, which the

Canada tops Cuba to win Pool A, advance to quarterfinals for 1st time

10:18 PM EDT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Ernie Whitt walked into the postgame press conference, sat down and smiled. “I'm very excited about it, needless to say,” Canada’s manager said. “It's been a long haul.” Whitt has been the Canadian manager in every World Baseball Classic since the first tournament in 2006

Team Italy's clutch double play all started with an Oscar-worthy fakeout

8:30 PM EDT

HOUSTON – A shortstop flop benefited Team Italy early in a pivotal matchup with Mexico in Pool B play on Wednesday night. The Italians were ahead, 1-0, with one out in the bottom of the third when Mexico’s Joey Ortiz singled. Jarren Duran hit a fly ball to shallow left-center

'Fuhgeddaboudit!' A Caglianone card perfect for the paisan in your life

5:27 PM EDT

Team Italy pulled off perhaps the greatest victory in the country's baseball history over the juggernaut Team USA on Tuesday night at the World Baseball Classic. It'll be hard for any member of the upstart squad to fuhgeddaboudit. That especially goes for Jac Caglianone, thanks to his hot off the

Icons Juan Marichal, King Félix help kick off DR-Venezuela heavyweight matchup in style

8:58 PM EDT

MIAMI -- The Dominican Republic and Venezuela both brought out a legendary pitcher from their country to kick off their matchup at the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday. First, Juan Marichal -- MLB's first Dominican-born Hall of Famer -- threw out the ceremonial first pitch at loanDepot park.

Top prospect Griffin is putting on a show ... but he's also 19. Where does he go from here?

2:10 PM EDT

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Konnor Griffin has certainly looked big league-ready at times in Spring Training. Of course, he's also still just a 19-year-old prospect.

Basallo ROY? Griffin 20/20? Here are 30 prospect predictions for '26

7:00 PM EDT

We are all about the future at MLB Pipeline. Obviously, any talk about prospects and who they might become involves some prognostication. Fresh off flexing those muscles to present every organization’s Top 30 prospects list, we’re keeping our crystal ball in active mode to provide a prospect prediction for each

Netflix teases first MLB broadcast with Opening Night trailer

@jared_greenspan
12:37 PM EDT

Opening Night is just two weeks away, and Netflix is getting us in the spirit for a season-opening showdown.

Strider isn't quite the same pitcher -- but he might be even better

6:46 PM EDT

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Even if Spencer Strider had remained healthy, it would have been difficult for him to maintain the ridiculous strikeout rate he produced during his first two full Major League seasons. But he might be an even better, or more complete, pitcher now that he’s had to

PCA showing plenty of pop in first World Baseball Classic

@ByJasonFoster
9:40 AM EDT

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.

Carroll swings axe-handle bat to help injured hand in spring debut

7:49 PM EDT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Corbin Carroll made his Cactus League debut on Wednesday afternoon and took three at-bats against the Athletics at Salt River Fields. Serving as the designated hitter and batting in the leadoff spot, Carroll grounded out to second in the first, flied out to left in the third

How Team USA stint has Skubal amped to lead Tigers to World Series

2:26 PM EDT

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The clubhouse at Joker Marchant Stadium was virtually empty Wednesday morning. The Tigers were playing a three-hour drive away in Fort Myers, and players who didn’t make the trip had the day off. But for Tarik Skubal, it was back to work.

Behind schedule in recovery, Hader to open season on injured list

11:31 AM EDT

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Astros will begin the regular season without the services of All-Star closer Josh Hader, who will begin the year on the injured list with biceps tendinitis. The loss of Hader is a significant blow to a Houston team that was devastated by injuries last

‘It means everything': HOF letting Dawson change cap on plaque

4:22 PM EDT

MESA, Ariz. -- Andre Dawson was in camp with the Cubs on Wednesday morning, wearing team gear, keeping an eye on the practice fields and spending time chatting with fellow team greats Fergie Jenkins and Rick Sutcliffe. The Hall of Famer always feels at home when he is back around

Yankees' HOPE Week initiative receives prestigious MLB honor

6:37 PM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. – Since 2009, the Yankees have set aside one week each season to shine a spotlight on people whose perseverance and generosity might otherwise go unnoticed. What began as a long-shot idea scrawled on an office whiteboard has grown into one of the franchise’s most meaningful traditions: HOPE

Round Rock sets example for what’s possible for pro baseball and softball

7:51 PM EDT

“We’re going to do it right, and you’re going to see the results.” Sports executive Reid Ryan spoke boldly about his enthusiasm for the Texas Volts in Round Rock at the team’s press conference last month. And for good reason -- the Volts’ home field at Dell Diamond is an

X-rays negative after Mountcastle hit by pitch on right hand

5:16 PM EDT

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles appear to have avoided another significant injury situation. Ryan Mountcastle was hit in the right hand by a pitch during the eighth inning of the O’s 7-2 Grapefruit League win over the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium, prompting an early exit from

Baseball, family, country: These brothers teamed up in the Classic

12:11 PM EDT

Baseball, family and country. The three go together beautifully, and for some, all three have combined for a unique experience in the World Baseball Classic. In the 2026 tournament, three pairs of brothers teamed up to play on the same squad: Josh and Bo Naylor for Team Canada, William and