Venezuela rallies past Italy to reach first Classic final
MIAMI -- Outside, it was one of those relentless South Florida rains. But still, the hundreds of Venezuelan baseball fans who remained long after the last pitch of the World Baseball Classic semifinals had been thrown were in ecstasy. Thoroughly soaked but swept up in the moment, they sang, danced,
What you need to know about the 2026 World Baseball Classic final (8 p.m. ET, FOX)
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
Acuña making up for lost World Series in World Baseball Classic
MIAMI -- "When we went to the World Series," Ronald Acuña Jr. said earlier this week, "I wasn't there. Thank God I'm living this great moment in my career." When the Atlanta Braves won the World Series in 2021, Acuña was reduced to spectator. A torn ACL had relegated the
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
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
Venezuela finds right pitching formula in semis, but final test looms large
MIAMI – When Venezuela starter Keider Montero walked consecutive lefty batters in the second inning against Italy, manager Omar López knew he was going to have his work cut out for him in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic on Monday night. “That,” he said, “was a red flag
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
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
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
Run to Classic semifinals has huge impact across Italy
MIAMI – Team Italy has heard the jabs. They understand that people look at them not as an Italian ballclub, but a group of guys from America masquerading as an Italian team. But this team doesn’t care. “There's a lot of stereotypical Italians on this team,” captain Vinnie Pasquantino joked.
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.
Ohtani back with Dodgers, likely to pitch before spring slate ends
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Dodgers weren't expecting to welcome Shohei Ohtani back to the fold quite this soon. Ohtani, along with newly anointed Opening Day starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was away from Dodgers camp for most of Spring Training while playing for Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic. Japan had
The prospects with the most interesting Statcast data this spring
You're about to see the most exciting prospects in baseball take the field during Spring Breakout this week -- but a lot of those prospects have already been putting on a showcase this spring. And with Statcast tracking now available for all 30 teams' Spring Training ballparks, it's easier than
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
Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas suspended 80 games following positive test
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Johan Rojas had been in Phillies camp this spring, playing in Grapefruit League games and practicing with teammates, while the past couple weeks awaiting word about his future with the club. On Monday night, Major League Baseball announced that Rojas has been suspended for 80 games without
Will the real Max Muncy please stand up? Both homer in same inning, miles apart
Infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today. Also, infielder Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the fourth inning during a Spring Training game today. We promise you are not seeing double. MLB has two players named Max Muncy in
Ramírez (shoulder) feeling 'much better,' considered day to day
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Breathe easy, Guardians fans. José Ramírez's left shoulder appears to be fine. Ramírez exited Sunday’s 12-6 win over the A’s after jamming his left shoulder on a slide into third base. However, the Guardians appeared to have dodged a major issue, as manager Stephen Vogt noted that
Ready to start up Dodgers' title defense, Yamamoto named Opening Day starter
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- He got the final outs of the Dodgers' successful title defense, and he'll be the first to take the ball as the team opens its bid for a three-peat. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start on Opening Day for the second straight year, manager Dave Roberts announced on Monday.
Juan Sandoval's heartwarming story is a journey of perseverance
PHOENIX -- It’s 9 a.m. on an Arizona morning and one of the newest members of the Brewers’ pitching development machine is pondering all that baseball has given him. When he begins to speak, the words get stuck in his throat. For Juan Sandoval, the answer is everything. “To really
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.
Revisit the best moments in Spring Breakout history
Before big league debuts, All-Star appearances and Cy Young Awards, the newer faces of Major League Baseball starred in Spring Breakout. The prospect event started in March 2024 and is heading into its third iteration, with a tournament format already announced for 2027 and '28. While more memories will be
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
'Go play, go stay ready': Bazzana to open season in Triple-A
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Guardians are looking forward to Travis Bazzana impacting their big league team this season. As expected, that will happen further down the line. The Guardians informed Bazzana he will not make their Opening Day roster, and he will open the 2026 season with Triple-A Columbus. Cleveland