Why Tarik Skubal is not pitching for Team USA in more WBC games
Tarik Skubal explains to the media why he decided against pitching in future World Baseball Classic games, despite camaraderie he’s found with his USA teammates.
The events of March 10 have set up a what should be a thrilling final day of pool play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The intrigue will be in Pool B, where Italy pulled off a shocking upset of Team USA. Italy, Mexico and the U.S. are all in contention to advance. The unfortunate aspect for the U.S. is that what happens next it totally out of its control, as it is idle as Italy and Mexico decide which teams move on. First pitch for that matchup is 7 p.m. ET (on Tubi).
In Pool A, Canada defeated Puerto Rico on Tuesday night and faces Cuba on Wednesday (3 p.m. ET on FS2). The winner advances to the quarterfinals.
Here’s are the results from World Baseball Classic play on Tuesday, March 10:
World Baseball Classic scores on March 10
Stream the World Baseball Classic on Fubo
Team USA lost 8-6 to Italy in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, March 10 and now must wait for the result of the Mexico-Italy game Wednesday to see if it advances to the quarterfinals.
An Italy win would secure Team USA a spot in the quarterfinals but if Mexico were to win, the Americans’ fate would come down to tiebreakers as all three teams would finish pool play at 3-1, with only the top two advancing.
Nope, Canada still hasn’t erased its biggest shame in the World Baseball Classic. But this time, the Canadians can feel extremely proud of their efforts – and the biggest prize in Pool A remains.
Canada recorded a landmark victory March 10, defeating host Puerto Rico 3-2 before a rain-soaked, raucous crowd at Estadio Bithorn.
And now, the stakes: Canada (2-1) plays Cuba (2-2) in the final Pool A game March 11. The winner advances to join Puerto Rico (3-1) in the quarterfinals, and a Canada win would also clinch the Pool A title; a Cuba victory sends Puerto Rico on to Houston as the Pool A champion. — Gabe Lacques
Team Israel ended its 2026 World Baseball Classic experience on a high note with a 6-2 win over the Netherlands at loanDepot Park.
Israel used a five-run sixth inning to surge past the Netherlands. A bases loaded single by Jake Gelof and a two-run double by Matt Mervis provided the offensive firepower for Israel, which finished this edition of the WBC with an even 2-2 record.
The Netherlands finished the tournament with a 1-3 mark.
The victor of Pool D will be decided on Wednesday when the Dominican Republic takes on Venezuela at 8 p.m. ET (on FS1).
What was supposed to be a confirmation of Japan’s dominance in pool play turned into a tense battle against a massive underdog in Tokyo … for the first seven innings.
Winless Czechia threatened to pull off one of the biggest upsets in WBC history, holding the defending champions scoreless for seven innings until a Czech misplay with two outs in the eighth allowed the game’s first run to score.
With a runner on first, Japan DH Kenya Wakatsuki doubled into the right field corner and the relay throw got away from the Czech infielders to allow the runner to scamper home. Then the floodgates opened. Unyo Shuto followed with a three-run homer to right and Munetaka Murakami added a grand slam later in the inning as Japan went on to a 9-0 victory.
Czechia starter Ondrej Satoria tossed 4 ⅔ shutout innings and Michal Kovala added three more, but Japan’s pitchers were just a little bit better.
Neither Shohei Ohtani nor Seiya Suzuki played for Japan with the quarterfinal berth already locked up.
World Baseball Classic tiebreakers, WBC format
The 20 teams are divided into four groups. They are:
Pool A (San Juan): Puerto Rico , Panama , Cuba , Canada , ColombiaPool B (Houston): United States , Mexico , Italy , Great Britain , BrazilPool C (Tokyo): Japan , South Korea , Australia , Czechia , Chinese TaipeiPool D (Miami): Venezuela , Netherlands , Dominican Republic , Israel , Nicaragua
Teams play one game each against the other four teams in their pool. The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout rounds in Houston and Miami. Teams are re-seeded after the quarterfinals.
Teams that remain tied in the standings following round robin play will be seeded based on the following criteria:
Head-to-head performance between the teams who are tiedFewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teamsFewest earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games between the tied teamsHighest batting average in games between the tied teams.Drawing of lots conducted by WBCI
Pool play games will occur from March 4 to March 11. Quarterfinals begin on March 13. The semifinals begin March 15.
The championship game is set for March 17 in Miami.