Baseball followers, rejoice! The 2026 World Baseball Classic formally started Wednesday with the beginning of pool play. Colombia and Brazil secured the ultimate two spots on this yr’s match in qualifiers, rounding out the sphere of 20 nations set to compete.
This yr marks the sixth iteration of the worldwide baseball match, with Japan the reigning champion after defeating Team USA 3-2 within the 2023 ultimate. While a couple of video games have already been performed — most notably two wins for Australia — the complete schedule begins on Friday.
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The Americans have taken dwelling one WBC title, again in 2017, and so they’re searching for a second with a loaded roster that features 22 MLB All-Stars — the most of any roster within the match. Among those that will signify Team USA are Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, simply to call a couple of of the celebs, with the U.S. currently the favorite (-105) over Japan (+350) at BetMGM.
During pool play, video games shall be performed in Tokyo, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Miami and Houston. The pool stage runs by way of March 11, adopted by the quarterfinals (March 13 and 14) and semifinals (March 15 and 16). It all culminates with the WBC ultimate on March 17, which shall be performed at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Games will air across Fox, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes, with streaming for all video games obtainable with a Fox One subscription.
Follow together with Yahoo Sports for the most recent information and updates from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Sean Leahy
Japan had no drawback with Chinese Taipei as they bought off to a profitable begin on the World Baseball Classic on Friday. Shohei Ohtani’s grand slam and 5 RBI, together with Sōsuke Genda’s three hits and 4 RBI supplied a lot of the offense within the 13-0 victory.
Chinese Taipei couldn’t resolve Samurai Japan’s pitching workers, which held them to and not using a hit till the sixth inning.
The recreation ended after seven innings as a result of early termination rule, which permits video games to be referred to as if a crew is main by 15 runs after 5 innings or 10 runs after seven innings.
Japan will subsequent face Korea on Saturday (5 a.m. ET; FS1), as will Chinese Taipei (10 p.m. ET; FS2).
TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 06: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan celebrates after hits a grand slam within the second inning in the course of the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C recreation between Japan and Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 06, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Gene Wang – Capture At Media/Getty Images)
(Gene Wang – Capture At Media through Getty Images)
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Sean Leahy
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Sean Leahy
Darvish is recovering from UCL surgery that he had in late October. He is predicted to overlook your entire 2026 season due to the process.
The veteran right-hander took half in two WBCs and was part of two profitable sides with Japan.
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Sean Leahy
The 33-year-old Genda, who performs for the NPB’s Saitama Seibu Lions, picked up his third hit within the high of the sixth inning with Japan up 13-0.
The infielder, a six-time NPB All-Star, additionally has 4 RBI within the recreation.
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Sean Leahy
Japan’s 10-run second inning set a brand new WBC report for many runs in an inning. The earlier report was held by South Korea, who scored eight on China within the third inning of a 22-2 victory in the course of the 2023 match.
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Sean Leahy
Ohtani and Japan bought out to an early lead because the Dodgers star drilled a grand slam off Chinese Taipei pitcher Cheng Hao-Chun.
Through 5 innings, and Japan holding a 13-0 lead, Ohtani is 3-for-4 with 1 run and 5 RBI.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Friday marks the primary full day of video games within the pool stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Here’s a have a look at the match schedule for Friday as Chinese Taipei taking over Japan vibrant and early, with first pitch set for 5 a.m. ET.takes
WBC schedule for Friday, March 6
*All instances listed are ET
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5 a.m. ET: Chinese Taipei vs. Japan (FS1)
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11 a.m.: Panama vs. Cuba (FS2)
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Noon: Venezuela vs. Netherlands (Tubi)
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1 p.m.: Great Britain vs. Mexico (FS1)
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6 p.m.: Colombia vs. Puerto Rico (FS1)
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7 p.m.: Dominican Republic vs. Nicaragua (FS2)
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8 p.m.: Brazil vs. U.S. (Fox)
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10 p.m.: Czechia vs. Chinese Taipei (FS2)
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Jack Baer
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Jack Baer
Australia bought some insurance coverage runs within the ninth inning and is now 2-0 within the WBC. They shockingly reached group play in 2023 due to a win over Korea, and may do the identical factor with a win on Monday.
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Jack Baer
One inning later, the Australians lead, courtesy of a three-run homer from Curtis Mead.
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Jack Baer
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Jack Baer
The first run of the sport belongs to Czechia, which takes a 1-0 lead on a second-inning rally. They did Australia a favor, although, when Martin Muzik bunted on ball 4 with a 3-0 depend and no outs. A stroll would have loaded the bases, and Australia pitcher Josh Hendrickson had thrown seven straight balls at that time.
Vojtech Mensik introduced within the run a batter later, then Williams Escala flied out to finish the inning.
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Jack Baer
Game 3 of the 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway on the Tokyo Dome, with Australia trying to comply with up their win over Chinese Taipei and Czechia making an attempt to bounce again from their lopsided loss to Korea.
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Ian Casselberry
The Dominican Republic shall be with out shortstop Jeremy Peña for the WBC after he fractured a finger throughout Wednesday’s exhibition with the Detroit Tigers.
The damage was sustained when Peña fielded a hard-hit grounder from Wencell Pérez within the third inning. The Houston Astros’ shortstop needed to remain within the recreation however left after placing out within the backside of the inning. X-rays revealed the fracture on Thursday.
Geraldo Perdomo is predicted to take over at shorstop for Peña for D.R., whereas infielder Amed Rosario may additionally fill in. The Dominican Republic begins the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Pool D play versus Nicaragua at 7 p.m. ET Friday at loanDepot Park in Miami.
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The Houston Astros’ Shay Whitcomb hit two dwelling runs as Korea dismissed Czechia 11-4 of their first Pool C recreation of the World Baseball Classic.
Korea hit 4 dwelling runs within the rout on the Tokyo Dome, together with a first-inning grand slam from Bo Gyeong Moon. Whitcomb is considered one of three Korean-American gamers on the roster.
Czechia shall be again on the sphere to face Australia at 10 p.m. ET Thursday.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Pool play for the 2026 World Baseball Classic kicked off with a showdown between Chinese Taipei and Australia late Wednesday evening for these within the U.S.
The motion continues early Thursday morning, beginning with Czechia vs. Korea at 5 a.m. ET, with Daniel Padysak and Hyeong Jun So taking the mound, respectively.
Czechia did not qualify for the WBC in its first two bids (2013, 2017) earlier than changing into a match darling in 2023. Korea, in the meantime, will look to get again to the championship recreation after being the runner-up in 2009 however failing to advance previous the primary spherical since then.
Later within the day is Australia vs. Czechia at 10 p.m. ET, set on the Tokyo Dome.
Both of Thursday’s video games will air live on FS1.
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Jack Baer
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Jack Baer
Australia takes the 2026 WBC opener 3-0 behind homers from Robbie Perkins and Travis Bazzana and a three-man shutout from the pitching workers.
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Jack Baer
Lyle Lin practically did it. The A’s farmhand bought an enormous cheer with a deep fly ball, nevertheless it dies on the warning monitor. Chinese Taipei is right down to its final out.
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Jack Baer
This simply bought attention-grabbing within the backside of the ninth. A profitable problem allowed Yu Chang to achieve first base, then Kungkuan Giljegiljaw sneaks a grounder into the outfield. The tying run is on the plate with one out.
