Team USA Announces Lineup for World Baseball Classic Matchup Against Italy

The undefeated U.S. squad looks to continue its strong start in the tournament.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 9:21pm

The United States national baseball team, led by captain Aaron Judge, will face off against Italy in their final preliminary round game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, March 10. The U.S. team, currently 3-0, will send Mets pitcher Nolan McLean to the mound to take on the 2-0 Italian squad. The game will be broadcast on FS1 and streamed on Fubo at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is a prestigious international tournament that showcases the best baseball talent from around the globe. Team USA is looking to capture its first WBC title since 2017, and a strong performance against Italy would keep the Americans on track to achieve that goal.

The details

Nolan McLean, a rising star for the New York Mets, will take the mound for Team USA. As a rookie in 2025, McLean impressed with a 5-1 record and 2.06 ERA in just eight starts. He'll be counted on to continue that success and help lead the U.S. pitching staff in the tournament.

  • The game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • Team USA enters the matchup with a 3-0 record in the preliminary round.

The players

Aaron Judge

The captain of Team USA and a star outfielder for the New York Yankees.

Nolan McLean

A rising pitcher for the New York Mets who will start on the mound for Team USA against Italy.

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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

What’s next

The winner of the Team USA vs. Italy matchup will advance to the next round of the World Baseball Classic.

The takeaway

Team USA's undefeated start in the World Baseball Classic has set the stage for a crucial showdown against Italy, with the Americans looking to continue their dominant run in the tournament.