The United States advanced to the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic on Saturday, March 16th, in Miami, Florida.
This marks the third consecutive WBC final appearance for the U.S., having won the tournament in 2017 and finishing as runners-up in 2023. They will face the winner of the Italy-Venezuela matchup, with the championship game scheduled for March 18th at the same location.
The Dominican Republic took an early lead in the second inning when Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays) hit a solo home run. Caminero connected on the fourth pitch, a 135.8 km/h sweeper from American starting pitcher Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates), sending it over the left-center field fence.
The United States responded in the fourth inning, tying the game with a leadoff solo home run by Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles) off Dominican starter Luis Severino (Athletics). After a nine-pitch battle, Henderson launched a shot over the fence.
Momentum swung further in favor of the U.S. When Roman Anthony (Boston Red Sox) hit a travel-ahead solo home run against reliever Gregory Soto (Pittsburgh) later in the inning.
Both teams then battled through a tense, scoreless stretch, with neither side able to add to their totals. The Dominican Republic had previously defeated South Korea 10-0 in a seven-inning, cold-game victory in the quarterfinals.
