USA Baseball Faces Mexico in Crucial World Baseball Classic Matchup

Lineups, starting pitchers, and key details for the high-stakes pool play game

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The United States and Mexico will face off on Monday, March 9, in a crucial World Baseball Classic pool play matchup. Both teams are currently 2-0 in the tournament, and the winner will automatically advance to the quarterfinals. The U.S. will start reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, while Mexico counters with veteran right-hander Manny Barreda.

Why it matters

This game represents a high-stakes showdown between two of the tournament's top teams, with a direct path to the quarterfinals on the line. The U.S. has already shown its offensive firepower, while Mexico will look to pull off an upset and secure its spot in the next round.

The details

The U.S. lineup has been a bit of a moving target, with manager Mark DeRosa mixing things up between the first two games. In the win over Great Britain, the lineup featured Kyle Schwarber leading off, followed by Alex Bregman, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Will Smith. Skenes will look to continue his dominant form from the regular season, when he led MLB with a 1.97 ERA.

  • The game is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Paul Skenes

The reigning NL Cy Young winner, Skenes is the starting pitcher for the United States. He led MLB with a 1.97 ERA in 2025 and has been an All-Star in both of his big league seasons.

Manny Barreda

The 37-year-old right-hander is the starting pitcher for Mexico. He has big-league experience and most recently played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 2025.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of the United States team, DeRosa has mixed up his lineup between the first two WBC games as he looks to find the right combination.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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 winner of this game will automatically advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The takeaway

This high-stakes matchup between the United States and Mexico will determine which team secures a direct path to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Both teams have shown their offensive firepower, setting the stage for an exciting and pivotal pool play showdown.