Team USA Headed To The 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship

The 2026 WBC final is almost set. On Sunday, one team officially punched their ticket, bringing themselves one step closer to tournament glory. Yes, Team USA is headed to the 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship for the third straight time.

With a win over the Dominican Republic, Team USA will soon play the winner of Venezuela vs. Italy to decide and crown this year’s champion. Sunday’s 2-1 victory was thanks to great batting performances at the plate and some hurling heat from the mound. Which players helped get this big victory? The USA Lineup vs. the Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park in Miami on Sunday was as follows:

SS Bobby Witt Jr.
1B Bryce Harper
RF Aaron Judge
DH Kyle Schwarber
3B Gunnar Henderson
C Will Smith
LF Roman Anthony
2B Brice Turang
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong

P Paul Skenes

As one can see, Team USA decided to roll with six LHHs against RH Luis Severino and the Dominican Republic in the decisive semifinal — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang, Roman Anthony and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

The DR and USA are no strangers to each other in the WBC. The last time these two countries met; Team USA knocked out the defending champs, beating the Dominican Republic 6–3 to reach the semifinals. An iconic Adam Jones home run robbery on Manny Machado and a go-ahead blast from Giancarlo Stanton sealed it.

While the DR may have wanted revenge, it was not to be. Starting pitcher Paul Skenes, plus batters Gunnar and Roman had other plans. Skenes started the game tossing missiles from the mound like he had a Marvel power stone in his hand. Yet, while Sunday may have not been his best work, Paul still kept the damage to a minimum.

Paul Skenes delivered a 1-2-3 first inning. With the first inning ending on a terrific, diving play at second base from Brice Turang to get Juan Soto. However, in the second, Team USA ran into a bit of trouble. Junior Caminero gets Paul Skenes, homering on a two-strike sweeper. Goes 401 feet at 105.6 mph. Giving Dominican Republic a 1-0 lead after two. Additionally, Team Dominican Republic sets a new World Baseball Classic record with its 15th homer.

However, Team USA answers back two innings later. Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony homered in the fourth, Anthony off Pirates lefty Gregory Soto. Thus, propelling Team USA to take the lead. Interestingly, Roman Anthony was a last-minute addition to Team USA. Yet, his go-ahead homer was the difference in this semifinal game.

Team USA Headed To The 2026 World Baseball Classic Championship

Nonetheless, there were some tense dramatic moments in the fourth for the USA (of course we have some drama lol). Paul Skenes gives up a double and a single. Ground ball that could’ve been a double play only gets one out. Skenes then hits Julio Rodriguez but fortunately gets Austin Wells to fly out to left. It is still 2-1 USA after four. And that’s how it would remain.

Other than the incidences above, DR couldn’t do much with Skenes or other American pitching. When Skenes night is over, Paul allows only back-to-back singles in the fifth. Goes 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 K, 2 HB, 1 HR, 71-50. Allowing just 1 ER, being responsible for both men on base. In the ninth, Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres was on closer duties and finished getting the victory. Now we await to see who the USA will play in the championship, Italy or Venezuela. But for now, congratulations to the men of red, white and blue, Team USA.

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