Although baseball is called \u201cAmerica\u2019s pastime,\u201d the World Baseball Classic shows that the sport is much more \u2014\u00a0it\u2019s global, and it thrives on that stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The WBC returns in 2026. It\u2019s baseball\u2019s version of the World Cup, and this is its sixth edition. Japan has won three times (2023, 2009, and 2006), the Dominican Republic has won once (2013) and the United States has won once (2017). This year\u2019s classic runs from March 5 to 17, and it\u2019s poised to deliver exciting baseball.<\/p>\n
The tournament smashed expectations last time in 2023. It featured firefighters from the Czech Republic<\/a> pitching in packed stadiums, a U.S. team with four MVP winners, and the unforgettable moment when Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani struck out<\/a> his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout (Team United States) to win the WBC championship.<\/p>\n There are 20 teams competing this year and a lot to follow, so here are three storylines to track this March.<\/p>\n Pitching hindered the U.S. in 2023, but this year?<\/p>\n It\u2019s a massive strength. Last WBC, the U.S. lineup was chock-full of All-Star sluggers and some future hall-of-famers \u2014 Trout, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado to name a few \u2014\u00a0but the pitching staff lacked electricity. It was composed of a few dominant relievers and good veteran starting pitchers, but not the best the U.S. could conjure. This year, that\u2019s completely different.<\/p>\n The winners of the 2025 American and National League Cy Young awards, which are given to the best pitchers, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are suiting up this March. They\u2019ll also have San Diego Padres flamethrower Mason Miller in relief \u2014 he throws 104 miles per hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n The offense also features some of the best in the sport. Highlights include Cal Raleigh (catcher who broke the single-season home run record for his position), Aaron Judge (three-time American League MVP), Bryce Harper (two-time National League MVP), and Kyle Schwarber (56 home runs in 2025). After falling one run short of a championship in 2023, Team U.S. is putting its best foot forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n Samurai Japan\u2019s road to repeat champions<\/p>\n