Pirates Star Paul Skenes Shines in Team USA's WBC Semifinal Win

Skenes reveals his simple goal that helped secure Team USA's 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:55am

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Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes delivered a stellar performance on the mound for Team USA in their 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic semifinal. Skenes revealed his simple goal was to "put up as many zeroes as possible and put us in a position to win." Despite the high-pressure situation, Skenes stayed composed and challenged hitters, trusting his defense to help secure the victory and send Team USA to the WBC championship game.

Why it matters

Skenes' performance on the international stage reinforces why he is seen as the future face of the Pirates' rotation. His ability to thrive under pressure and lead his team to victory in a tight, high-stakes game showcases his maturity and talent as a rising star in Major League Baseball.

The details

Facing a loaded Dominican Republic lineup, Skenes remained composed and focused on his goal of "putting up as many zeroes as possible." He challenged hitters and trusted his defense, as the game turned into a tense bullpen battle. Every scoreless inning Skenes delivered pushed Team USA closer to the WBC final. In the end, the American pitching staff held the Dominican lineup to just one run, while the offense produced just enough to protect the lead.

  • On March 16, 2026, Team USA defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the World Baseball Classic semifinal.

The players

Paul Skenes

A rising star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who delivered a dominant performance on the mound to help Team USA reach the World Baseball Classic championship game.

Team USA

The United States national baseball team that secured a spot in the 2026 World Baseball Classic final with their 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic.

Team DR

The Dominican Republic national baseball team that fell to Team USA 2-1 in the World Baseball Classic semifinal.

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What they’re saying

“Just coming into the game, I wanted to put up as many zeroes as possible and put us in a position to win. Everybody else did their job. That was really fun to watch.”

— Paul Skenes

What’s next

Team USA will now face the winner of the other semifinal matchup in the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game.

The takeaway

Paul Skenes' dominant performance on the mound for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic semifinal showcases his ability to thrive under pressure and lead his team to victory on the global stage. This reinforces why he is seen as the future face of the Pirates' rotation and a rising star in Major League Baseball.