The Dominican Republic is living up to the hype in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, showing why they entered the tournament as one of the favorites. With Manny Machado at the helm, their roster boasts MLB stars like Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Team DR emerged victorious against Venezuela, winning 7-5 in front of a packed house at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
Machado had a message for San Diego Padres fans after the intense matchup. He urged them to recreate the electric atmosphere of the WBC at Padres games by bringing musical instruments and making some serious noise.
"I keep telling people we’ve got to bring this to the playoffs," Machado said. "Let the fans bring drum sets, guitars-whatever you can bring-and just start banging stuff and make noise.
It just makes it more emotional."
Petco Park in San Diego is already known for its vibrant atmosphere and high attendance, thanks in part to the Padres' strong performances and playoff appearances. Machado's call to action could take that energy to another level.
Reflecting on the WBC game, Machado marveled at the unique experience. The energy was palpable from the batting practice sessions all the way through the final inning.
"It was just insane," Machado said. "Both crowds, non-stop for nine innings.
Even pre-game BP was crazy here. Yeah, it was a pretty special moment."
With their win over Venezuela, the Dominican Republic secured the top spot in Pool D, advancing to face Korea in the quarterfinals on Friday. Venezuela, meanwhile, will take on defending champions Japan the following night. The stage is set for more thrilling action as these teams battle for supremacy.