Welcome to Pinstripe Alley’s coverage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic! We previewed Pool A, Pool B, Pool C, and Pool D in the linked articles. Since the first several days of the WBC feature a bevy of games, we’ll be recapping them in batches. Enjoy!
Pool B: USA (3-0) 5, Mexico (2-1) 3
While the United States jumped out to a big lead with Aaron Judge homering again, Mexico kept the game close, and USA faced their toughest test of the WBC slate thus so far.
After Paul Skenes and Manny Barreda each started the game with a couple zeroes,
the US broke things open in the third. Shortly after a cannon of a throw from Judge caught a runner trying to advance to third, No. 99 got the party started with a two-run homer, his second of the tournament. Roman Anthony would go deep later in the inning, as the US put up a five spot to take control of the game. Meanwhile, Skenes ended up striking out seven, allowing just one hit in his four innings of work.
Following Skenes’ departure, things got a little close for comfort. Matthew Boyd came on for the fifth and allowed two runs, including a Jarren Duran home run. In the eighth, Durran homered off Boyd again, and Griffin Jax had to eventually come in to induce an inning-ending double play after Mexico put the tying run on.
In the ninth, Mexico again had a chance when Joey Meneses led off the inning with a single. Garrett Whitlock got the next three outs to seal the win, but it was a hairy one. Team USA hasn’t nailed down Pool B just yet, but they can secure the win by beating Italy today. The second spot should come from the winner of Mexico vs. Italy tomorrow.
Pool A: Puerto Rico (3-0) 4, Cuba (2-1) 1
Martín Maldonado of all people delivered the big hit for Puerto Rico, as they downed Cuba to remain unbeaten. That clinched a Pool A triumph for Puerto Rico, while Cuba will likely have to defeat Canada tomorrow to advance.
Yankee prospect Elmer Rodríguez started the game for Puerto Rico with a couple zeroes before Maldonado struck in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and one out, Maldonado—who has never been much of a hitter and in fact retired this past offseason to take a job in the Braves’ organization—snuck a ball past third baseman Yoán Moncada and down the line, into the corner. All three runners came around the score, giving Puerto Rico the lead, which they never relinquished.
Rodríguez ended up going three innings, allowing one hit and three walks, while also striking out three. PR opened up a 4-0 lead before Cuba got one run back, but that’s all they got as Puerto Rico’s bullpen made it through the game without much issue.
Pool D: Venezuela (4-0) 4, Nicaragua (0-4) 0
Ronald Acuña Jr. recorded three hits and two RBI as Venezuela downed Nicaragua to remain undefeated in the tournament, and set up a battle with the Dominican Republic tomorrow for the top spot in the pool.
Acuña was all over the place in this one, even in the runs he didn’t directly drive in. He led off the game with a walk, stole second, and then moved to third on the same play thanks to an error. That allowed him to score on a Jackson Chourio single, and Venezuela never trailed after that.
In terms of number of hits, Nicaragua actually outhit Venezuela, but they just didn’t do remotely enough with them. None of Nicaragua’s hits went for extra bases, and they went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left six on base. When you have Acuña doing Acuña things on the other side, that was never going to get it done. They finished last in their pool and will have to play in the qualifiers for the next WBC.
As we enter the final days of pool play, here’s the action that’s on tap for today:
Japan vs. Czech Republic (Pool C)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Hiroto Takahashi vs. RHP Ondrej Satoria
Time: 6:00 am ET
TV: FS1
Location: Tokyo Dome — Tokyo, Japan
Israel vs. Netherlands (Pool D)
Pitching Matchup: LHP Ryjeteri Merite vs. RHP Carlos Lequerica
Time: 7:00 pm ET
TV: Fox App
Location: LoanDepot Park — Miami, FL
Canada vs. Puerto Rico (Pool A)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Jordan Balazovic vs. RHP José De León
Time: 7:00 pm ET
TV: Tubi
Location: Hiram Bithorn Stadium — San Juan, Puerto Rico
Italy vs. USA (Pool B)
Pitching Matchup: TBD vs. TBD
Time: 9:00 pm ET
TV: FS1
Location: Daikin Park — Houston, TX
