Trending Now - Israel Shines in WBC as Canada Moves Forward in Championship
WHO:
Ernie Whitt, manager of Team Canada.
Tyler O'Neill, Abraham Toro, Owen Caissie, Bo Naylor, Otto Lopez, Cal Quantrill, Adam Macko, James Paxton, Yiddi Cappe, Yoán Moncada, Garrett Crochet, and Roman Anthony.
Team Italy, Team USA, Kyle Teel (catcher for Team Italy), Sam Antonacci (shortstop for Team Italy), Jac Caglianone (right fielder for Team Italy), Michael Lorenzen (starter for Team Italy), Nolan McLean (pitcher for Team USA), Gunnar Henderson (player for Team USA), Pete Crow-Armstrong (player for Team USA), Aaron Judge (player for Team USA), Roman Anthony (player for Team USA), Brad Keller (reliever for Team USA), Greg Weissert (reliever for Team Italy), 38,653 fans at Daikin Park.
WHAT:
Canada clinched its first berth in the WBC quarterfinals with a 7-2 victory over Cuba on March 11th, 2026.
Canada finished pool play with a 3-1 record, earning the top overall seed in Pool A.
Cuba finished in third place in Pool A with a 2-2 record, marking the first time in WBC history that Cuba did not advance past pool play.
Canada scored three runs in the sixth inning, all unearned due to fielding miscues by Cuba.
Cal Quantrill pitched five innings of one-run ball against Cuba.
Japan and Korea have qualified out of Pool C.
The Dominican Republic and Venezuela have clinched quarterfinal spots out of Pool D.
Italy's next game is scheduled for March 11th, 2026, against Mexico at 7 p.m. on Tubi.
If Italy beats Mexico, it will finish pool play with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time in six appearances in the Classic.
Team USA's advancement to the knockout round depends on the outcome of the game between Italy and Mexico on March 11th, 2026.
Team USA allowed 11 runs and recorded 54 outs in pool play, while Italy allowed six runs and recorded 27 outs.
If Mexico beats Italy, Team Italy, the U.S., and Mexico would all be 3-1, and the three teams would be ranked based on runs allowed divided by defensive outs recorded, with the top two teams advancing.
Italy is now 3-0 in pool play after defeating Team USA 8-6 on March 10th, 2026.
Team USA finished pool play with a record of 3-1.
If Italy beats Mexico on March 11th, 2026, it will finish pool play with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time in six appearances in the Classic.
Team USA's advancement to the knockout round depends on the outcome of the game between Italy and Mexico on March 11th, 2026.
Team USA allowed 11 runs and recorded 54 outs in pool play, while Italy allowed six runs and recorded 27 outs.
Italy defeated Team USA 8-6 in the World Baseball Classic pool play.
Italy hit three home runs during the game.
Michael Lorenzen pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings against Team USA.
Team USA finished pool play with a record of 3-1.
Team Italy's record improved to 3-0 in pool play.
Kyle Teel hit a solo home run in the second inning.
Sam Antonacci hit a home run in the second inning.
Jac Caglianone hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning.
Team USA scored six runs in the final four innings.
Team USA allowed 11 runs and recorded 54 outs in pool play.
Italy allowed six runs and recorded 27 outs in pool play.
The game was played at Daikin Park in Houston.
WHERE:
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Daikin Park, Houston, Texas.
WHEN:
The game took place on March 11th, 2026.
The next game for Italy is scheduled for March 11th, 2026, against Mexico.
The game took place on March 10th, 2026.
Italy's next game is scheduled for March 11th, 2026, against Mexico.
WHY:
Ernie Whitt expressed excitement about Canada’s advancement, stating, "It's been a long haul."
Italy was considered underdogs against Team USA, which had a roster of American major leaguers.
The victory was significant as it put Team USA's advancement to the knockout round in jeopardy.
HOW:
Canada capitalized on several fielding errors by Cuba, including a dropped pop-up and a pickoff attempt thrown up the first-base line.
Team USA's numbers are fixed: they allowed 11 runs in 18 innings (54 outs), which equals .203 runs per out.
If Mexico wins while scoring four or fewer runs, Team USA is eliminated. If Mexico wins while scoring five or more runs, Italy is eliminated and Team USA advances.
Michael Lorenzen pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings against Team USA.
Italy scored three runs in the sixth inning, aided by a throwing error and a wild pitch from Team USA's reliever Brad Keller.
Italy's players performed well, with multiple home runs and effective pitching from Lorenzen.
Team USA's pitching struggled, leading to errors and unearned runs.
(UPDATED March 12, 2026 01:24 UTC)
Canada has made history by clinching its first berth in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals with a decisive 7-2 victory over Cuba on March 11, 2026, at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The team, managed by Ernie Whitt, finished pool play with a strong 3-1 record, earning the top overall seed in Pool A, while Cuba, with a 2-2 record, faced the unprecedented outcome of not advancing past pool play. Canada took advantage of several fielding errors by Cuba, scoring three unearned runs in the sixth inning, and Cal Quantrill delivered an impressive performance, pitching five innings and allowing just one run.
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(UPDATED March 11, 2026 15:10 UTC)
In a significant update from the World Baseball Classic, Japan and Korea have qualified out of Pool C, while the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have secured their spots in the quarterfinals from Pool D. Italy is set to face Mexico tonight at 7 p.m. on Tubi, and if Italy wins, they will finish pool play with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time in six appearances, but Team USA's advancement hinges on this matchup, as a Mexico victory could eliminate either Team USA or Italy depending on the runs scored.
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(UPDATED March 11, 2026 09:07 UTC)
Italy has secured a strong position in pool play, improving to 3-0 after defeating Team USA 8-6 last Monday, thanks in part to Michael Lorenzen's impressive 4 and 2/3 shutout innings. Team USA wraps up pool play with a record of 3-1, and their chances of advancing to the knockout round now hinge on Italy's upcoming game against Mexico today. If Italy wins, they will finish pool play with a perfect 4-0 record for the first time in six appearances in the Classic.
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(UPDATED March 11, 2026 07:17 UTC)
In a stunning upset, Italy defeated Team USA 8-6 in the World Baseball Classic pool play at Daikin Park in Houston on March 10, with standout performances including three home runs and 4 2/3 shutout innings from pitcher Michael Lorenzen. Team USA, which finished pool play with a record of 3-1, struggled on the mound, allowing 11 runs and making costly errors, while Italy improved to an impressive 3-0. Looking ahead, Italy will face Mexico today, as their victory has put Team USA's advancement to the knockout round in jeopardy.