The United States has punched its ticket to the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship, riding a 3-1 record in pool play and crucial victories over Canada and the Dominican Republic to reach the finale. Now, Team USA is set to face Venezuela on Tuesday, March 17, with the first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
All eyes will be on New York Mets prospect Nolan McLean, who is expected to start for Team USA. McLean had a rocky outing against Italy in pool play, allowing three earned runs over three innings and taking the loss. The big question for manager Mark DeRosa is how long McLean will be on the mound before turning to a bullpen that has been nothing short of stellar.
In McLean's initial start, the offense didn't offer much support, a trend DeRosa hopes to reverse in the championship. Although the lineup is packed with All-Stars, the two runs on seven hits against the Dominican Republic in the semifinals suggest there might be some tweaks on the horizon.
Here's a look at how the United States lined up in their semifinal win over the Dominican Republic:
- Bobby Witt Jr.
(SS)
2.
Bryce Harper (1B)
3.
Aaron Judge (RF)
4.
Kyle Schwarber (DH)
5.
Gunnar Henderson (3B)
6.
Will Smith (C)
7.
Roman Anthony (LF)
8.
Brice Turang (2B)
9.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF)
The U.S. eked out a one-run victory, with no player recording more than one hit. Solo homers from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony provided the offensive spark, but DeRosa might shuffle the order for the final.
Bobby Witt Jr. had a tough game, going 1-4 with three strikeouts, while Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong also struggled. With both players being platooned throughout the tournament, don't be surprised if Ernie Clement or Byron Buxton step in for the championship.
Turning to Venezuela, they'll counter with Eduardo Rodriguez from the Arizona Diamondbacks. This will be Rodriguez's second appearance in the 2026 WBC, following a three-inning stint against the Dominican Republic where he allowed three earned runs and struck out five.
As the championship looms, the stage is set for an exciting showdown. Team USA's roster is loaded with talent, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. With the stakes higher than ever, DeRosa's strategic decisions could be the key to bringing home the title.