Venezuela Looks to Punch Ticket to WBC Quarterfinals Against Nicaragua

Venezuela manager Omar López says his team won't take Nicaragua lightly despite the latter's 0-3 record in the tournament.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Venezuela's baseball team is looking to take care of business against Nicaragua on Monday night in their final Pool D matchup of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. While Nicaragua has already been eliminated from contention, Venezuela manager Omar López insists his club won't overlook their opponent, as they try to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Why it matters

Venezuela is one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and a win over Nicaragua would put them in a strong position to advance to the quarterfinals. However, they'll need to avoid any letdowns against a Nicaragua team that has nothing to lose.

The details

Venezuela will send right-hander Yoendrys Gómez to the mound, while Nicaragua will counter with left-hander Danilo Bermudez. Venezuela defeated Nicaragua 4-1 when the teams met in the 2023 WBC. Eugenio Suárez drove in two runs for Venezuela in that game.

  • The game is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET.
  • Venezuela and Nicaragua previously met in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The players

Omar López

The manager of the Venezuelan national baseball team.

Eugenio Suárez

A Venezuelan baseball player who drove in two runs against Nicaragua in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Yoendrys Gómez

The right-handed starting pitcher for Venezuela in Monday's game.

Danilo Bermudez

The left-handed starting pitcher for Nicaragua in Monday's game.

Dusty Baker

The manager of the Nicaraguan national baseball team.

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What they’re saying

“The same job that we are doing right now is attacking the hitters, to be ahead in the count, and try to use all the pitchers; that goes for Dominican Republic and Nicaragua the same. No matter the name, we have to respect all the teams.”

— Omar López, Manager, Venezuelan National Team (mlb.com)

“All the games are important to us. We have to win them all. One game is not more important than the other. We are here to compete, to give everything for our country.”

— Eugenio Suárez (mlb.com)

“I've been on first-place teams and I've been on last-place teams that you had the last game of the season, and you certainly want to go home on a good note. Who knows? [Monday] everybody could be looser with nothing at stake. I'm going to play my best lineup and try to do what we can to win.”

— Dusty Baker, Manager, Nicaraguan National Team (mlb.com)

What’s next

If Venezuela wins on Monday, they will be in a strong position to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, setting up a potential showdown with the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.

The takeaway

Despite Nicaragua's 0-3 record in the tournament, Venezuela manager Omar López is making sure his team doesn't overlook their opponent, as they try to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.