The 2026 World Baseball Classic continued Friday with Japan, the Dominican Republic and the United States among the teams beginning pool play.

The eight-game schedule began with Shohei Ohtani’s offensive exploits at the Tokyo Dome. It continued throughout the day as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado and Julio Rodríguez led the Dominican Republic against Nicaragua at loanDepot Park in Miami, and Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr. and Cal Raleigh led Team USA in taking on Brazil in Houston.

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Logan Webb started on the mound for the U.S. as the Americans began their tournament with expectations to win it all. He surrendered a home run to the first batter and then retired 12 straight before exiting the game.

Dominican Republic 12, Nicaragua 3

We can say this for Nicaragua: This team hung around.

The Dominican Republic has perhaps the most stacked lineup in the WBC and is one of three co-favorites in the tournament. Yet as the game reached the sixth inning, it was tied 3-3 after Nicaragua chased Cy Young finalist Cristopher Sanchez after 1 1/3 innings of work.

It didn’t last, though. The D.R. scored nine runs over the next three innings and ultimately produced the kind of final score everyone expected. Junior Caminero, Julio Rodriguez and Oneil Cruz all homered, putting the game well out of reach.

Puerto Rico 5, Colombia 0

The most wide-open pool of the tournament is Pool A, in which Cuba, Puerto Rico, Canada and Colombia all have a real chance to advance to the knockout round. Puerto Rico got a big boost with a win Friday.

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A seven-man group of pitchers including starter Seth Lugo and closer Edwin Díaz shut out Colombia. A five-run, fifth-inning rally gave Puerto Rico all the runs it needed in front of the home crowd in San Juan.

Mexico 8, Great Britain 2

Jonathan Aranda’s three-run homer for Mexico off Tristan Beck broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning. Beck entered the game for Great Britain after Gary Gill Hill walked Jarren Duran and Randy Arozarena to put the go-ahead runs on base.

Mexico added four more runs in the top of the ninth inning. Alek Thomas drove in two with a single off Graham Spraker, then Joey Ortiz doubled Thomas in after Dylan Covey relieved Spraker for Great Britain. Ortiz came around to score on an RBI double from Arozarena.

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Gill Hill took the loss, allowing two runs, while Spraker gave up three. Robert Garcia was credited with the win for Mexico after pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

Venezuela 6, Netherlands 2

Luis Arraez and Willson Contreras each drove in two runs to lead Venezuela to a 6-2 win over the Netherlands in Pool D play on Friday at loanDepot Park in Miami.

Venezuela’s other two runs were batted in by Wilmer Abreu and Javier Sanoja, both of whom hit 2-for-4 (as did Contreras).

Ranger Suarez allowed one run and three hits in two innings to earn the win, while Jaydenn Estanista gave up four runs for the Netherlands. Dutch starter Antwone Kelly took the loss, allowing two runs in his three innings.

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Druw Jones knocked in both of the Netherlands’ runs with an RBI double in the second and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

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Japan 13, Chinese Taipei 0

Shohei Ohtani hit a grand slam, finished with five RBI and was a triple shy of the cycle in Japan’s opening win over Chinese Taipei.

The 10-run second inning by Japan set a WBC record for most runs in a single inning. The previous record was eight, held by the U.S. (2023) and Cuba (2009). Ohtani’s five RBI in the second inning are also a record for a single inning.

Japan will next play Saturday at 5 a.m. ET (FS1) against Korea, while Chinese Taipei hits the field Friday at 10 p.m. ET (FS2) against Czechia.

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Cuba 3, Panama 1

Yoán Moncada’s two-run home run in the top of the third inning helped Cuba defeat Panama in the opening game for both teams. And the Los Angeles Angels’ third baseman didn’t just do it with the bat; he also used his defense to keep Cuba’s opponents at bay.

Panama just could not take advantage of opportunities during the close defeat. Six runners were left on base, and the team went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Both teams are next in action on Sunday, when Cuba takes on Colombia (12 p.m. ET; FS2) and Panama faces Canada (7 p.m. ET; FS2).

Saturday’s schedule & how to watch

Korea vs. Japan: 5 a.m. ET on FS1
Colombia vs. Canada: 11 a.m. ET on FS2
Nicaragua vs. Netherlands: 12 p.m. ET on Tubi
Brazil vs. Italy: 1 p.m. ET on Fox Sports app
Panama vs. Puerto Rico: 6 p.m. ET on FS1
Israel vs. Venezuela: 7 p.m. ET on FS2
Great Britain vs. United States: 8 p.m. ET on Fox
Chinese Taipei vs. Korea: 10 p.m. ET on FS2