Team USA entered Tuesday with a chance to go 4-0 in pool play and punch its ticket to the quarterfinals. Instead, the Americans were shut down by Italy through five innings before mounting a comeback that wasn’t quite enough. The Italians won 8-6 to stay undefeated heading into their game against Mexico on Wednesday. The Americans will have to watch and wait to see how the final results of Pool B shake out.
In the first WBC game on Tuesday, Japan improved to 4-0 with a win over Czechia. It was Czechia’s fourth loss of the tournament, but the team put up a good fight against Samurai Japan. Czechia’s starting pitcher even earned a standing ovation from the Tokyo crowd for his performance against the home team.
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This year marks the sixth iteration of the international baseball tournament, with Japan the reigning champion after defeating Team USA 3-2 in the 2023 final. The Americans have taken home one WBC title, back in 2017, and they’re looking for a second with a loaded roster that includes 22 MLB All-Stars — the most of any roster in the tournament. Among those representing Team USA are Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, just to name a few of the stars, with the U.S. entering the tournament as the favorite (-105) over Japan (+350) at BetMGM.
During pool play, games are being played in Tokyo, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Miami and Houston. The pool stage runs through Wednesday, followed by the quarterfinals (March 13 and 14) and semifinals (March 15 and 16). It all culminates with the WBC final on March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Games will air across Fox, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes, with streaming for all games available with a Fox One subscription.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news and updates from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Live220 updates
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 9:20 PM PDT
Judge strikes out, and that does it for Team USA. Italy stuns the Americans with a dominant victory in Pool B.
With the loss, Team USA finishes 3-1 in pool play, and Italy improves to 3-0 before playing Mexico on Wednesday to conclude pool play and determine how this group shakes out.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 9:16 PM PDT
Bobby Witt Jr. singles, Gunnar Henderson strikes out, and it’s up to Aaron Judge with two outs and the U.S. down by 2.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 9:12 PM PDT
Pete Crow-Armstrong blasts a solo home run for his second long ball of the night, and it’s 8-6 USA with one out.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 9:04 PM PDT
The flamethrower makes it look easy with three straight outs, including two strikeouts, to finish the Italians’ half of the ninth inning.
Team USA is coming up with three more outs to tie this game — or else sit and await their fate when Mexico and Italy play Wednesday.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:59 PM PDT
Harper worked a full count but ultimately flied out for the final out of the eighth inning, leaving Will Smith and Roman Anthony on base.
It’s 8-5 Italy as we head to the ninth.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:53 PM PDT
Roman Anthony delivers a third straight single to score Kyle Schwarber. Will Smith goes to third.
It’s now 8-5, and Bryce Harper is coming up to bat as the tying run for Team USA with two outs in the eighth.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:51 PM PDT
Kyle Schwarber and Will Smith have notched back-to-back singles with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.
Roman Anthony is up next with a chance to really make this interesting.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:48 PM PDT
David Bednar walked the bases loaded on two singles and a hit batter, and the Italians were threatening to extend their lead.
But Bednar got out of it with a strikeout of Dante Nori and a groundout from Jakob Marsee, and now the USA lineup goes back to work. It’s still 8-4.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:28 PM PDT
The bottom of the USA lineup delivers three runs with two outs in the seventh inning to make it 8-4.
Paul Goldschmidt singled, Brice Turang doubled, and then Pete Crow-Armstrong smashed a no-doubt home run to make this a game again.
Even if it’s not enough for the U.S. to mount a comeback, that home run could end up being significant in a tiebreaker.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:14 PM PDT
Canada held Puerto Rico scoreless across the final five frames to secure a 3-2 win over Puerto Rico.
With the victory, Puerto Rico, which has already secured a spot in the quarterfinals, falls to 3-1 in Pool A. Canada improves to 2-1 and will play Cuba, also 2-1, on Wednesday. The winner of that contest will advance. It’ll go to a tiebreaker to determine the Pool A winner and runner-up.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM PDT
A solo home run off the bat of the Orioles’ star makes it 8-1 through six innings.
The U.S. lineup is still in a big hole, but at least the shutout is over.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:52 PM PDT
A would-be double play instead became a run when Brad Keller threw the ball into center field. And then a sac fly makes it 7-0.
This is officially a disaster for Team USA.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:36 PM PDT
The bad news for Team USA: They are losing 5-0 and have only 2 hits and 1 walk through four innings.
The good news: Michael Lorenzen is out of the game due to the pitch count rule. He exits after throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Team USA’s vaunted lineup.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:16 PM PDT
The Netherlands took an early lead, but Israel’s five-run sixth inning broke the game open and ultimately was enough to secure the team’s second win of the WBC.
Israel finishes 2-2 in the tournament, while the Netherlands falls to 1-3. Neither team is advancing from Pool D.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 7:06 PM PDT
Jac Caglianone launches another home run off of Nolan McLean, and it’s officially time for the Americans to start stressing.
It’s 5-0 Italy in the fourth inning.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 6:34 PM PDT
After Jac Caglianone reaches on a hit by pitch, Sam Antonacci blasts a two-run homer to make it 3-0 Italy.
Heading to the bottom of the second inning, Team USA’s bats have some work to do.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM PDT
Michael Lorenzen pitched a scoreless first, allowing only a walk to Aaron Judge.
And then Kyle Teel got Italy on the board with a solo home run in the top of the second.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 6:13 PM PDT
Mets rookie Nolan McLean is on the mound looking to send Team USA to the quarterfinals with a win over Italy.
He strikes out the side to set the tone early. Team USA is up to bat next.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 5:47 PM PDT
With two singles and the help of an error by Dutch first baseman Sharlon Schoop, Israel scored to make it a 2-2 ballgame.
A wild pitch, a fielder’s choice, a walk and a single made it 4-2 before pitcher Kevin Kelly was pulled from the game.
A double from Matt Mervis made it 6-2 before the inning was over.
Tue, March 10, 2026 at 5:46 PM PDT
Two singles, two walks and a hit by pitch, all with two outs, plated two runs for the Canadians.
It’s 2-1 Canada in the middle of the third inning.