Team USA Advances to 2026 World Baseball Classic Semifinals

Faces Powerful Dominican Republic in Miami Showdown

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:03pm

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Team USA secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a 5-3 victory over Canada on Friday night in Houston. The team will now travel to Miami to face the Dominican Republic on Sunday night at loanDepot Park.

Why it matters

Team USA's victory over Canada sets up a highly anticipated semifinal matchup against the Dominican Republic, who are considered one of the tournament favorites. This game will showcase some of the best baseball talent in the world and will be a crucial test for Team USA as they look to capture the World Baseball Classic title.

The details

The game against Canada was not easy for Team USA, as they built a 5-0 lead but had to hold off a late comeback attempt by the Canadians. Starter Logan Webb delivered a strong performance, pitching 4 ⅔ scoreless innings and setting the tone for the game. The USA offense struggled at times, but benefited from defensive errors by Canada. Despite the challenges, Team USA was able to secure the victory and advance to the semifinals.

  • The game against Canada took place on Friday, March 15, 2026.
  • The semifinal matchup against the Dominican Republic is scheduled for Sunday night, March 15, 2026.

The players

Logan Webb

The starting pitcher for Team USA who delivered a strong performance, pitching 4 ⅔ scoreless innings and striking out five.

David Bednar

The USA reliever who faced a challenging seventh inning but was able to escape the jam and preserve the lead.

Clayton Kershaw

The three-time Cy Young winner who was on the Team USA roster but did not pitch in any of the games in Houston. He will be replaced by Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan for the semifinals.

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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 (San Francisco Chronicle)

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

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The semifinal clash against the Dominican Republic promises to be a formidable challenge. Team USA will need to elevate their game to compete with the Dominican Republic's powerful lineup.

The takeaway

Team USA's victory over Canada sets up an exciting semifinal matchup against the Dominican Republic, showcasing some of the best baseball talent in the world. Strong pitching will be key for Team USA as they look to capture the World Baseball Classic title.