Yankees Split Squad Faces Orioles as Team USA Meets Dominican Republic in WBC Semifinal

The Yankees' spring training game against the Orioles and the World Baseball Classic semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic highlight the action tonight.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:35pm

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The New York Yankees are playing a split-squad game against the Baltimore Orioles in spring training, while Team USA takes on the Dominican Republic in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The Yankees are sending Paul Blackburn to the mound, who has looked sharp this spring, while the Orioles counter with Zach Eflin, who is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season. In the WBC semifinal, Team USA will start reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes against the powerhouse Dominican Republic lineup, which has been dominant throughout the tournament.

Why it matters

The Yankees-Orioles spring training game provides a chance for players on the bubble to make their case for roster spots, while the WBC semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic features two of the tournament's top teams and biggest stars squaring off with a spot in the championship game on the line.

The details

The Yankees are sending a split-squad to Sarasota to take on the Orioles, with Paul Blackburn getting the start for New York. Blackburn re-signed with the team on a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason and has looked sharp in spring training so far. The Orioles will counter with Zach Eflin, who is looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2025 season. In the WBC semifinal, Team USA will start reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes against the powerful Dominican Republic lineup, which has been dominant throughout the tournament, outscoring opponents 51-10 so far.

  • The Yankees-Orioles game is scheduled for a 6:05 pm ET first pitch.
  • The WBC semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic is set for an 8:00 pm ET start.

The players

Paul Blackburn

A right-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees who re-signed with the team on a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason.

Zach Eflin

A right-handed pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles who re-signed with the team in December after missing the final two months of the 2025 season due to lower back surgery.

Paul Skenes

The reigning NL Cy Young award winner, who will start on the mound for Team USA in the WBC semifinal against the Dominican Republic.

Luis Severino

A right-handed pitcher for Team USA who had a dominant outing in the team's previous WBC game against the Netherlands.

Aaron Judge

The star outfielder for Team USA, who has been one of the team's top offensive performers in the WBC so far.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Yankees-Orioles spring training game and the WBC semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic feature high-stakes action as players and teams look to make their mark heading into the regular season and tournament finals, respectively.