Venezuela is ramping up its preparations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a high-level exhibition game against the Houston Astros. The match provides a valuable opportunity for the national team’s coaching staff to assess their players against a Major League Baseball organization currently in the midst of Spring Training, featuring a roster of both established stars and emerging talent.
The friendly will be played at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, one of the most modern spring training complexes in the Major Leagues. This marks the first real competitive opportunity for Venezuelan fans to see “Team Venezuela” in action, beyond closed-door practices and training sessions.
Venezuela vs Houston Astros: Date, Time, and Location
The game between Venezuela and the Astros is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, as an official part of the World Baseball Classic exhibition schedule. According to confirmed information from tournament organizers and specialized media, the game will start at 6:05 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), or 7:05 p.m. In Venezuela, which shares the same time zone as the Eastern US during this period.
CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, the Astros’ Spring Training home, offers conditions virtually identical to a regular-season MLB game – including lighting, the mound, dimensions, and a stadium atmosphere. This provides Venezuela with a genuine competitive environment, a significant step up from a simple practice game.
Where and When to Watch Venezuela vs. Houston Astros LIVE on TV and Online
The Venezuelan national team is already in training and will have its first preparation match for the World Baseball Classic this Tuesday. Fans eager to follow the action will have several options:
| Platform / Channel | Type | Country where applies | How it broadcasts | Local game time* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOX Deportes | Pay TV | United States | Live broadcast in Spanish of the Venezuela vs. Astros friendly. | 6:05 p.m. ET (New York, Miami) |
| MLB Network (according to guide) | Pay TV | United States | Broadcasts World Classic exhibition games. the match appears on its preparation schedule. | 6:05 p.m. ET |
| ESPN Deportes | Pay TV | United States | Spanish-language channel that includes World Baseball Classic preparation games in its programming, depending on regional availability. | 6:05 p.m. ET |
| Fubo | OTT Streaming | United States | Platform that includes FOX Deportes and MLB Network; available with a free trial for new users. | 6:05 p.m. ET |
| DirecTV Stream / SlingTV | OTT Streaming | United States | Packages with FOX Deportes and/or ESPN Deportes to watch the game online, depending on the plan subscribed to. | 6:05 p.m. ET |
| ESPN+ | OTT Streaming | United States | Listed as a live event “Venezuela vs. Houston Astros (3/3/26)” on the ESPN player. | 6:05 p.m. ET |
| MLB.TV | Official Streaming | United States and countries where it operates (including access from Venezuela with subscription) | Broadcasts the game as a Spring Training exhibition tied to the 2026 World Classic schedule. | 6:05 p.m. ET / 7:05 p.m. In Venezuela |
| Local sports channels (cable) | Pay TV | Venezuela | Some operators replicate the international signal (FOX/ESPN) on their schedules; availability depends on the cable operator. | 7:05 p.m. Venezuela time (same time zone as ET for this period) |
- FOX Deportes (United States): Spanish-language channel from the Fox Sports family that broadcasts exhibition games and all World Classic matches in US territory.
- Fubo (United States): streaming service that includes FOX Deportes and offers a free trial for new users, allowing you to watch the game at no initial cost if you register from a country where This proves available.
- ESPN+ / ESPN Deportes (streaming): the match is listed on the ESPN+ platform as a live event on Tuesday, March 3, accessible via digital subscription.
What’s at Stake for Venezuela in this Friendly Against the Astros
Whereas the score doesn’t count in the World Baseball Classic standings, the clash against Houston is vital for the Venezuelan technical staff. The game allows them to:
- See how Venezuelan pitchers adapt to an MLB lineup from the first inning, key to adjusting the rotation and bullpen.
- Define defensive combinations in the infield and outfield, testing chemistry between starters and substitutes.
- Evaluate offensive production in pressure counts, with runners on base and against different types of pitching.
The Core of Team Venezuela You’ll See Against the Astros
The friendly against Houston is designed to showcase much of the core that will represent Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The roster includes elite players such as Ronald Acuña Jr., Salvador Pérez, Luis Arráez, Willson and William Contreras, Gleyber Torres, and Eugenio Suárez, among others.
On the pitching side, the staff features experienced MLB arms like Germán Márquez, Eduardo Rodríguez, Ranger Suárez, and Antonio Senzatela, supported by young relievers looking to earn a key role in the tournament rotation. This duel against the Astros helps determine who is in the best form to start games, who is shaping up as setup or closers, and who can be that “wild card” arm to solve complicated innings.
Probable Lineups: Venezuela vs. Houston Astros
| Team | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Venezuela | Luis Arráez | Second base |
| Venezuela | Ronald Acuña Jr. | Right fielder |
| Venezuela | Jackson Chourio | Center fielder |
| Venezuela | Eugenio Suárez | Third base |
| Venezuela | William Contreras | Catcher |
| Venezuela | Salvador Pérez | Designated hitter |
| Venezuela | Willson Contreras | First base |
| Venezuela | Wilyer Abreu | Left fielder |
| Venezuela | Andrés Giménez | Shortstop |
| Astros | Riley Unroe | Shortstop |
| Astros | Isaac Paredes | Designated hitter |
| Astros | Carlos Correa | Third base |
| Astros | Christian Walker | First base |
| Astros | Cam Smith | Center fielder |
| Astros | Taylor Trammell | Right fielder |
| Astros | Zach Dezenzo | Left fielder |
| Astros | Brice Matthews | Second base |
| Astros | César Salazar | Catcher |
