It’s the final day of pool play at the World Baseball Classic, and there’s a lot riding on the outcome of Wednesday’s three games.
In the first game of the day, Canada defeated Cuba 7-2 to advance to the quarterfinals, eliminate Cuba and surpass Puerto Rico to win Group A. Owen Caissie and Otto Lopez each drove in two runs in the Canadians’ victory, and on the mound, Cal Quantrill delivered five innings of one-run ball.
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After a stunning 8-6 loss to Italy on Tuesday, the United States needed Italy to beat Mexico on Wednesday — or have Mexico score no more than four runs in a nine-inning victory — to reach the quarterfinals. After Italy took a 5-0 lead through five innings against Mexico, thanks to a tiebreaker scenario, the U.S. should be into the quarterfinals — barring extra innings.
Team USA entered Tuesday with a chance to go 4-0 in pool play and punch its ticket to the quarterfinals. Instead, the Americans were shut down by Italy through five innings before mounting a comeback that wasn’t quite enough. The Italians stayed undefeated heading into their game against Mexico.
This year marks the sixth iteration of the international baseball tournament, with Japan the reigning champion after defeating Team USA 3-2 in the 2023 final. The Americans have taken home one WBC title, back in 2017, and they’re looking for a second with a loaded roster that includes 22 MLB All-Stars — the most of any roster in the tournament. Among those representing Team USA are Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, just to name a few of the stars, with the U.S. entering the tournament as the favorite (-105) over Japan (+350) at BetMGM.
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The quarterfinals will be Friday and Saturday (March 13 and 14) and semifinals will be on Sunday and Monday (March 15 and 16). It all culminates with the WBC final on Tuesday, March 17, at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Games will air across Fox, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes, with streaming for all games available with a Fox One subscription.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news and updates from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Jack Baer
It’s 6-0 Italy after captain Vinnie Pasquantino slugs his second homer of the game.
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Jack Baer
Italy takes a 5-0 lead on a bases-loaded single from Jakob Marsee and that guarantees Team USA will make it to the knockout rounds, barring extra innings. Either Italy will win or Mexico will score at least six runs.
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Jack Baer
Juan Soto mashed a home in the first inning to give his coach a 2-0 lead.
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Jack Baer
Italy brings in another run on a Dante Nori sacrifice bunt. Mexico pitcher Brennan Bernardino went for the hero play at home, but Alejandro Kirk couldn’t get enough glove on the ball and Jac Caglianone scored.
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Jason Owens
Italian home runs continue to be one of the stories of the World Baseball Classic. They’re up to two against Mexico after a moonshot to the left-field bleachers from Jon Berti in the top of the fourth.
Italy’s up to 10 home runs in three-plus WBC games and has a 2-0 lead over Mexico with a spot in the knockout round at stake.
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Jason Owens
Vinnie Pasquantino’s second-inning home run remains the only run on the board. Mexico got out of the top of the third inning with a double-play ball and failed to score in the bottom half of the frame.
Italy leads 1-0 through 3.
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Jason Owens
Italy is on the board first.
Vinnie Pasquantino hit a deep fly ball to right field to lead off the top of the second that just cleared the fence for a solo home run. Jarren Duran had a shot at making a play on the ball, but it landed past his outstretched glove into the hand of a fan in the first row.
Italy takes a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second. Good news for interested Team USA parties.
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Jack Baer
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Jack Baer
We’ll call that a good start. The Mexican starter puts Italy down in order in the top of the first inning on 15 pitches.
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Jack Baer
Mexico pitcher Javier Assad opens the game with a strikeout of Sam Antonacci. As a reminder, Team USA can celebrate is advancement the second Mexico scores its fifth run, or if Italy wins.
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Jason Owens
In a win or go home game, Canada prevailed, 7-2 over Cuba and has advanced out of the San Juan pool alongside Puerto Rico to the knockout round.
The loss dropped Cuba to 2-2 behind 3-1 Canada and Puerto Rico, and its World Baseball Classic is over.
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Jason Owens
Canada tacked on another run in the top of the 8th inning and now has a 6-2 lead heading into the ninth after holding Cuba off the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame.
Cuba’s down to three outs to rally from a 4-run deficit.
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Jason Owens
Adam Macko got the job done. He inherited runners on the corner with two outs and a 5-2 lead in the bottom.
He issued a walk before striking out Marlins prospect Yiddi Cappe swinging to end the inning. Canada maintains a 5-2 lead through 6 innings.
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Jason Owens
Cuba added a run and has runners on the corners with 2 outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, trailing 5-2. A high-leverage moment here as Canada’s made a pitching change to Adam Macko.
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Jack Baer
With runners on second and third and no outs, Otto Lopez singles in two more runs for Canada. It’s 5-1 now and Cuba’s going to need respond quickly.
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Jack Baer
Canada immediately gets that run back, as Matt Davidson reached base on a dropped pop-up, took third on a wild pitch and scored on a double from Bo Naylor, who won an eight-pitch battle with Yariel Rodríguez.
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Jack Baer
A leadoff walk for Yoel Yanqui turns into a run for Cuba after a throwing error on a pickoff attempt and an RBI groundout by Yoelkis Guibert. 2-1 Canada.
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Jack Baer
Canada takes a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth on a solo homer from Abraham Toro. As a reminder, this game is win-or-go-home.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Canada still holds a one-run lead in the top of the fifth inning.
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Jack Baer
Facing a tough situation, Cuba starter Livan Moinelo struck out Tyler O’Neill and got pop-outs from Abraham Toro and Matt Davidson to keep the first inning scoreless.
