The group stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic has reached it’s final day. Just three games remain in pool play before the knockout stage begins on Wednesday. How fitting it is that this final day of the group stage might also be one of the most impactful of the tournament.
Game No. 1: Canada at Cuba (República de Cuba)
Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium — San Juan, Puerto Rico
Team Canada (2-1) faces off against Team Cuba (2-1) in a win-or-go-home match to close out San Juan’s Pool A. With Puerto Rico having already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, the winner of this afternoon’s game will advance to the knockout round.
On the bump for Canada is former Rockies righty Cal Quantrill. Quantrill is the son of former Canadian big league pitcher—and current Team Canada pitching coach—Paul Quantrill and will be making his first appearance of the tournament in today’s start. Rockies prospect lefty and 2025 draft pick Antoine Jean will also look to get into today’s game. At the plate, Rockies infielder Edouard Julien looks to get hot after notching his first hit of the tournament against Puerto Rico on Tuesday.
Left-handed pitcher Livan Moinelo will make his second start of the Classic for Team Cuba. The 30-year-old—who pitches for Nippon Professional Baseball’s Fukuoka Softbank Hawks during the regular season—worked a scoreless 3 2/3 innings his last time out with four strikeouts, two walks, and two hits given up.
First Pitch: 1:00 PM MDT
TV: FS2
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM
Lineups:
RHP Cal Quantrill vs LHP Livan Moinelo
Game No. 2: Italy (Repubblica Italiana) at Mexico (Estados Unidos Mexicanos)
Venue: Daikin Park — Houston, Texas, USA
After Italy’s stunning upset of Team USA on Tuesday, the fate of three teams now hangs on this one game.
If the Italians (3-0) win this evening and complete the group stage with an undefeated record, they will advance along with the United States (3-1) and Mexico (2-1) will be eliminated.
If Mexico wins while scoring six or more runs, they will advance along with the United States and Italy will be eliminated.
If Mexico wins and scores five or fewer runs, they will advance along with Italy and the United States will be eliminated.
If Mexico wins and scores exactly five runs, they will advance and the final spot in Houston’s Pool B will depend on other tiebreaker scenarios.
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed starter Austin Nola will take the mound for Team Italy, making his first appearance of the tournament. Benji Gil and Vinny Castilla’s Team Mexico has yet to announce their starter.
First Pitch: 5:00 PM MDT
TV: FS1
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM
Lineups:
RHP Austin Nola vs TBD
Game No. 3: Dominican Republic (República Dominicana) at Venezuela (Venezuela (República Bolivariana de Venezuela)
Venue: loanDepot Park — Miami, Florida, USA
Both participants in the final game of Miami’s Pool D have already clinched their places in the knockout stage with 3-0 records, meaning tonight’s group stage finale is for the pool’s top seed and for pride.
Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara will get the start for the Dominican Republic in his home ballpark, backed up by a lineup jam-packed with talent like Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Meanwhile, Rockies reliever Juan Mejia—who has already pitched a scoreless inning this tournament—and former Rockies reliever Carlos Estévez are primed to make appearances from the bullpen.
Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Eduardo Rodríguez will take the mound for Venezuela with his own murderer’s row behind him. Luis Arráez already has multiple extra-base hits—including two home runs—while Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr is 4-for-10 with a home run of his own. The pair are joined by Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who is 3-for-3 with a double and a walk so far this tournament. Rockies right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela may have the chance to come out of the bullpen for his first appearance of the Classic as well.
First Pitch: 6:00 PM MDT
TV: Tubi
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM
Lineups:
RHP Sandy Alcantara vs LHP Eduardo Rodríguez
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!
Read the full article here