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Venezuela powers past defending champs to reach Classic semifinals

2:11 AM EDT

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

Italy reaches semifinals, stays unbeaten in Classic with win over Puerto Rico

March 14, 2026

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

What you need to know about the World Baseball Classic semifinals

@ByJasonFoster and @Theo_DeRosa and @ssc627
12:30 AM EDT

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

It's Skenes vs. the Dominican lineup -- who has the edge?

March 14, 2026

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

Powerhouse lineups face off as USA meets DR (8 p.m. ET, FS1)

March 14, 2026

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

What a start! Acuña, Ohtani trade leadoff homers in Classic quarterfinals

12:37 AM EDT

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

We haven't seen this much talent together in 1 game in a long time

March 14, 2026

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

For the Dominican Republic, this is not just a game, it's 'like a religion' 

March 14, 2026

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

Back with Mariners, Randy ready to move on from Classic

March 14, 2026

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Randy Arozarena returned to Mariners camp on Saturday morning ready to turn the page towards the regular season. He also preferred not speaking further on the exchange with Cal Raleigh at the World Baseball Classic, declining interview requests at the Peoria Sports Complex and instead issuing a

Skubal wanted to meet Scherzer -- after facing him, he got his wish

March 14, 2026

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Ask most starting pitchers, and they’ll say they don’t think about who’s starting on the mound for the opposing team. They don’t have to pitch to the guy, or worry about hitting him, so they’ll focus on their own game. But when Tarik Skubal realized earlier in

Venezuela, Italy set to battle for trip to title game (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, FS1)

1:31 AM EDT

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

Rodón feeling good, but there's no rush -- Yanks have it covered

March 14, 2026

TAMPA, Fla. -- A few hours before a sold-out crowd watched Max Fried’s latest Opening Day tuneup in New York's 6-4 loss to the Phillies on Saturday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field, many of those same fans piled into the bleachers on the other side of the Yankees’ complex

Wheeler faces hitters for first time since September surgery

March 14, 2026

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The few Phillies fans lucky enough to be at BayCare Ballpark on Saturday morning watched Zack Wheeler take his latest step toward his return to the rotation. Wheeler threw a live batting practice session.

Team USA bolsters relief, adds Blue Jays closer Hoffman

@ByJasonFoster
March 14, 2026

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

How would Misiorowski compare to other young Brewers Opening Day starters?

March 14, 2026

PHOENIX – If Jacob Misiorowski gets the nod for the Brewers to start Opening Day against the White Sox, he would be one of the greenest pitchers in franchise history to get that honor. He would also be one of the most electric. For the record: the Brewers have made

Postseason Vladdy in March? Jays love to see their star thrive in Classic

March 14, 2026

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.

Langeliers' 3-homer day has him cruising toward Opening Day

March 14, 2026

MESA, Ariz. -- You never want to peak too early, but with a little over a week of Spring Training left, it’s hard to imagine Shea Langeliers ever being more locked in than he was on Saturday afternoon. One day after the A’s offense exploded for four home runs in

Injuries: Suzuki, Berríos, Wheeler, Rodón, Lindor, H. Greene

12:16 AM EDT

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news on injured players across Major League Baseball.

Seiya exits quarterfinals vs. Venezuela with right knee discomfort

2:28 AM EDT

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

Fraley's 7-year-old daughter rings bell at hospital to signal victory over leukemia

March 14, 2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jake Fraley and his family had been waiting years for Thursday. It was a day of celebration. A day of gratitude. A day to rejoice. Fraley’s 7-year-old daughter, Avery, rang the bell at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, marking the end of her treatment program and

Devenski home, resting after taking liner off side of head

March 14, 2026

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Pirates reliever Chris Devenski was still being evaluated one day after he was struck in the head by a line drive during Friday night’s 7-5 win over the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium, but so far, the news is the best the Bucs could hope for. "Nothing

Bello returns from Classic, hopes to pitch for D.R. again: 'So many superstars'

March 14, 2026

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

Giants tab Webb as Opening Day starter for fifth straight season

March 14, 2026

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Logan Webb shined in his two starts for Team USA this month, giving up one run over 8 2/3 innings to help lead the American squad into the World Baseball Classic semifinals. When he returns to Giants camp next week, Webb will have yet another big assignment