Mark DeRosa Hypes Up USA-Dominican Republic WBC Semifinal

Team USA manager says Sunday's matchup could be "one of the best games of all time".

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:55pm

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The upcoming World Baseball Classic semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic has generated immense buzz, with Team USA manager Mark DeRosa declaring that the game could be "one of the best games of all time." Both teams have taken different paths to reach this stage, with the Dominican Republic dominating their quarterfinal matchup while Team USA had to hold off a late push from Canada. The highly anticipated showdown at loanDepot park in Miami is expected to feature a passionate crowd supporting both sides, setting the stage for a potentially memorable tournament moment.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is one of the premier international baseball tournaments, and the semifinal matchup between the powerhouse teams of the United States and the Dominican Republic is a marquee event that will capture the attention of baseball fans worldwide. The winner of this game will advance to the championship final, making the stakes extremely high.

The details

Team USA advanced to the semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Canada in the quarterfinal round, while the Dominican Republic cruised to a 10-0 win over Korea. The contrasting paths of the two teams have set the stage for what promises to be an intense and high-stakes matchup. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has hyped up the game, saying it could be "one of the best games of all time." The game will take place at loanDepot park in Miami, a venue known for delivering electric atmospheres during international baseball events.

  • The World Baseball Classic semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2026.
  • Team USA advanced to the semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Canada on Friday, March 15, 2026.
  • The Dominican Republic dominated Korea 10-0 in their quarterfinal matchup on Friday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Mark DeRosa

The manager of the United States national baseball team competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Team USA

The United States national baseball team competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Dominican Republic

The national baseball team of the Dominican Republic competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“One of the best games of all time.”

— Mark DeRosa, Team USA Manager

What’s next

The winner of the USA-Dominican Republic semifinal will advance to the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The takeaway

The highly anticipated semifinal matchup between Team USA and the Dominican Republic is a testament to the growing global popularity and competitiveness of the World Baseball Classic. Fans can expect an electric atmosphere and a potentially historic game that will showcase the best talent in international baseball.