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Team USA Advances to World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals

3/13/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

USA Advances Quarterfinals

Team USA advanced to the 2026 World Baseball Classic quarterfinals after Italy's 9-1 win over Mexico.
The U.S. finished Pool B at 3-1, with its only loss to Italy.
They will face Canada, which topped Pool A, on March 13 at Daikin Park in Houston.
Canada will counter with Michael Soroka.
A win would send the United States to the semifinal against the Dominican Republic or Korea.

Summary

Holmes Leaves Tournament

Clay Holmes, pitcher for Team USA, will leave the World Baseball Classic to return to New York Mets spring training, per the Mets' request amid workload concerns.
Holmes pitched once in the tournament, striking out six in three scoreless innings against Great Britain.
His absence is a setback for Team USA as they prepare for the quarterfinals against Canada, and the team has added pitchers to fill gaps.

History

Historical Context

The inaugural World Baseball Classic took place from March 3 to March 20, 2006, featuring 16 nations and over 800,000 fans. Japan triumphed over Cuba 10-6 in the final, marking a significant moment in international baseball. This tournament, organized by Major League Baseball and the International Baseball Federation, established a platform for professional players to represent their countries, enhancing the sport's global appeal.

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USA Advances Quarterfinals

Team USA advanced to the 2026 World Baseball Classic quarterfinals after Italy's 9-1 win over Mexico.
The U.S. finished Pool B at 3-1, with its only loss to Italy.
They will face Canada, which topped Pool A, on March 13 at Daikin Park in Houston.
Canada will counter with Michael Soroka.
A win would send the United States to the semifinal against the Dominican Republic or Korea.

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