Pool play is officially a wrap at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with the field narrowed from 20 qualifying teams to eight participants seeking a bid to the semifinals in Miami.
The action starts Friday with a matchup between the Dominican Republic and Korea at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Dominican Republic has been a dominant force in this tournament, leading all teams with 41 runs and 13 home runs while logging the fourth-lowest ERA (2.38) and entering the quarterfinals 4-0. Korea enters this contest as a +650 underdog at BetMGM, with the D.R.’s odds to win at -1000.
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Closing out Friday’s slate is an Olympic rematch, as Team USA (-800 favorites) takes on Canada (+550). All eyes will be on the U.S. in this contest following an upset loss to Italy, which briefly left the Americans in danger of missing a bid to the quarterfinals. The U.S. advanced thanks to Italy’s dominant win over Mexico, but there’s no doubt that manager Mark DeRosa has some critics to silence following his viral gaffe.
On Saturday, the WBC quarterfinals continue with Italy vs. Puerto Rico (3 p.m. ET) and Japan vs. Venezuela (9 p.m. ET).
6:30 p.m. ET: Dominican Republic vs. Korea on FS2/Fubo
8 p.m. ET: USA vs. Canada on Fox/Fubo
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news, updates and highlights coming out of Friday’s WBC quarterfinal matchups:
Live18 updates
Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:53 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Been Gwak got ahead of Ketel Marte with no balls and 2 strikes. However, his next four pitches were far outside the strike zone, resulting in another bases-loaded walk. The Dominican Republic now leads 7-0 and Korea is making another pitching change, its fourth of the third inning.
Dane Dunning is now on to pitch for Korea with two outs.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:50 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
With runners on first and second and one out for the Dominican Republic, Been Gwak struck out Agustín Ramírez. However, he followed that up by walking Geraldo Perdomo to load the bases.
Facing Fernando Tatis Jr., Gwak didn’t want to leave anything in the strike zone and issued a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk. The D.R. now leads 6-0 and the bases are still loaded for Ketel Marte.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:40 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Following a Junior Caminero single, Kyung-Eun Noh finally got an out for Korea in the third inning, striking out Julio Rodriguez.
However, with runners on first and second and one out, Korea is making another pitching change, bringing in Been Gwak.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Bringing in Yeong Hyun Park to face Manny Machado with a runner on third and no outs did not pay off. Machado singled to left field to drive in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Dominican Republic now leads 5-0. Still no outs in the bottom of the third inning.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:36 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
With a runner on third and no outs for the Dominican Republic in the third inning, Korea is bringing in closer Yeong Hyun Park.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:34 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Juan Soto scored the Dominican Republic’s fourth run on a double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but it looked like he could be out at the plate. Catcher Dong Won Park caught the relay throw from center field and laid down the tag.
The home plate umpire called Soto safe, but replay appeared to show that Park tagged Soto’s left arm before his right hand could touch the plate. However, the call was upheld and the D.R. has a 4-0 lead.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:29 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Can you blame Korea catcher Dong Won Park for not wanting to get in Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s way when he was barreling toward home plate, intent on scoring the Dominican Republic’s first run?
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:26 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Korea got a baserunner when Dong Won Park drew a one-out walk.
But Cristopher Sanchez recovered from that, striking out Ju Won Kim and getting Do Yeong Kim to ground out to third base to end the top of the third.
Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:15 PM PDT
Maggie Hendricks
Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong are in the lineup for Team USA’s matchup with Canada Friday night.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:12 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Following a walk to Agustín Ramírez and single by Geraldo Perdomo, Fernando Tatis Jr. drives in another run for a 3-0 Dominican Republic lead.
And Hyun-Jim Ryu’s time on the mound is over. Kyung-Eun Noh is coming on to pitch for Korea.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:09 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
The Dominican Republic broke the scoreless tie in the second inning with Junior Caminero driving in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a pinpoint bloop double inside the left-field line. Guerrero might have been out with an accurate throw, but Jahmai Jones’ relay was up the line.
Caminero came around to score on a Julio Rodriguez groundout, giving the D.R. a 2-0 lead.
Fri, March 13, 2026 at 4:02 PM PDT
Jack Baer
Both teams are trotting lineups slightly tweaked from what they did in pool play. Pete Crow-Armstrong gets the start in center after clubbing two homers in Team USA’s final pool play game.
Fri, March 13, 2026 at 3:55 PM PDT
Fred Zinkie
Korea starter Hyun Jin Ryu and D.R. starter Cristopher Sánchez both get through the first frame without allowing a baserunner. It’s 0-0 after one.
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Fri, March 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM PDT
Get your TVs set! First pitch between Team Korea and Team Dominican Republic is set for 6:30 p.m. ET, airing live on FS2.
Fri, March 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM PDT
Jake Mintz
Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr. have been linked for a while now.
The two superstars debuted in 2018, finishing first (Acuña) and second (Soto) in Rookie of the Year voting. Until Soto was dealt to San Diego at the 2022 trade deadline, they played in the same division. That’s true again with Soto stationed in Queens. They are friends, compatriots, counterparts.
As the pair chatted, both removed their caps and handed them to the other for a deeper investigation. After a beat, the two exchanged the lids back once Acuña lunged forward to jokingly place his Venezuela cap on Soto’s head. For a moment, it balanced atop Soto’s black durag, Acuña’s blue hat matching perfectly with Soto’s similarly tinted Republica Dominicana jersey. The Mets outfielder recoiled playfully, tossing the cap back to his buddy. The two laughed, dapped each other up and continued stretching.
That moment was a microcosm of the evening, which was a joyful Latin American baseball celebration of the highest order.
- Fri, March 13, 2026 at 2:49 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
U.S. starting pitcher will be on a limit of 70 pitches, according to manager Mark DeRosa. Webb threw 52 pitches in Team USA’s WBC opener versus Brazil.
With two days off, the U.S. is expected to have everyone available in its bullpen, if needed.
Fri, March 13, 2026 at 2:29 PM PDT
Chris Cwik
Retired Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw won’t last long in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Team USA plans to replace Kershaw on its roster following Friday’s quarterfinal, manager Mark DeRosa announced Thursday.
The 37-year-old Kershaw announced his retirement from MLB in September. The veteran shocked the baseball world a few months later, saying he would pitch for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Through four games, however, Kershaw has not made an appearance.
That could change during the quarterfinal on Friday. After Team Italy’s win over Mexico on Wednesday, Team USA squeaked into the next round of the tournament, where they will take on Canada on Friday. Kershaw won’t be replaced until after that game, giving him one more opportunity to appear in a game for the United States.
Once that contest is over, Kershaw will be replaced by Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, who could be in line to start the championship game if the U.S. advances to that point.
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Fri, March 13, 2026 at 2:05 PM PDT