Venezuela claimed its first World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The win marks the first WBC championship for Venezuela, which previously reached the quarterfinals in 2023.[1][2]
Prior to the final, Venezuela advanced with a semifinal win over Italy on March 16. The tournament's previous champions are the United States (2017), Japan (2006, 2009, 2023) and the Dominican Republic (2013).[1][3]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 32-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing one hit to Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers and recording four strikeouts, including two against U.S. captain Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Rodriguez threw 57 pitches before being relieved by manager Omar López, a coach with the Houston Astros.[4]
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to give Venezuela a 2-0 lead. Maikel García scored the first run on a sacrifice fly in the third. Venezuela's relievers, including José Buttó and Andrés Machado, limited the U.S. to two hits through eight innings.
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 2-2. In the ninth, Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivered an RBI double with two outs after a walk and stolen base, scoring the go-ahead run. Daniel Palencia closed the game with two strikeouts and a pop-out in the bottom of the ninth.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic final was held at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, following semifinals at the same venue. Pool play and early rounds took place across Miami, Houston, Phoenix, San Juan and Tokyo.[2][3]
Sources
- Wikipedia. "World Baseball Classic". Accessed October 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
- MLB.com. "World Baseball Classic 2026 dates and locations announced". January 15, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-and-locations-announced
- Wikipedia. "2026 World Baseball Classic". Accessed October 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_World_Baseball_Classic
- MLB.com. "Eduardo Rodriguez". Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566
