The 2026 World Baseball Classic delivered one of its marquee games on Monday when the United States took on rival Mexico. Both teams entered the day 2-0 in Pool B. It was a tighter contest than might’ve been expected, but the Americans got it done with a 5-3 victory to advance to 3-0 in the tournament. They face Italy on Tuesday to conclude their Pool B slate.
In the first WBC game on Monday, South Korea beat Australia 7-2 to reach the quarterfinals from Pool C. That gave South Korea a 2-2 record in pool play, identical to Australia and Chinese Taipei — but South Korea’s seventh run against the Aussies swung the run-quotient tiebreaker in its favor. Also in Pool C, Shohei Ohtani and Japan secured a berth in the quarterfinals with a 4-3 victory over Australia on Sunday.
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This year marks the sixth iteration of the international baseball tournament, with Japan the reigning champion after defeating Team USA 3-2 in the 2023 final.
The Americans have taken home one WBC title, back in 2017, and they’re looking for a second with a loaded roster that includes 22 MLB All-Stars — the most of any roster in the tournament. Among those who will represent Team USA are Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, just to name a few of the stars, with the U.S. entering the tournament as the favorite (-105) over Japan (+350) at BetMGM.
During pool play, games are being played in Tokyo, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Miami and Houston. The pool stage runs through Wednesday, followed by the quarterfinals (March 13 and 14) and semifinals (March 15 and 16). It all culminates with the WBC final on March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Games will air across Fox, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes, with streaming for all games available with a Fox One subscription.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news and updates from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Live187 updates
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 8:15 PM PDT
It was closer than the Americans would’ve liked in the final few innings, but Team USA got it done, moving to 3-0 with a win over Mexico.
Paul Skenes delivered four stellar innings, the bats produced a five-run inning, and Garrett Whitlock notched the save.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico finished off a 4-1 victory over Cuba to also move to 3-0 in the tournament.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 8:11 PM PDT
Joey Meneses singles to right field, and Mexico has the tying run at the plate again.
Garrett Whitlock strikes out Alejandro Osuna and Julian Ornelas, and Mexico is down to its final out.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:47 PM PDT
Matthew Boyd hits Randy Arozarena with a pitch, and that brings Jonathan Aranda to the plate as the tying run in this contest. There are no outs in the top of the eighth.
Boyd then struck out Aranda for the first out, and Griffin Jax came in and induced a double play to end the inning.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM PDT
Mexico has cut into its deficit, largely thanks to two solo homers from Duran.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM PDT
It’s now 5-1 in Houston after a solo blast from Duran.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:44 PM PDT
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:26 PM PDT
The reigning NL Cy Young winner appears to be in top form in his first WBC outing.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:24 PM PDT
Team USA’s starting shortstop makes an amazing, diving grab and throw across the diamond to get Alejandro Kirk for the second out of the fourth inning.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:11 PM PDT
The youngest member of Team USA makes his mark and shows off his power with a three-run blast that puts the Americans up 5-0.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:08 PM PDT
Martin Maldonado clears the bases with a double to put P.R. ahead 3-0 in the second inning.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:06 PM PDT
After a Bryce Harper single, Judge blasts a two-run homer to put the US ahead in the bottom of the third.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM PDT
Led by a solo home run and an RBI single from Ronald Acuña Jr., Venezuela has a comfortable lead through six innings.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:58 PM PDT
Mexico had two baserunners with two outs following Jarren Duran’s single.
Then Judge delivered a defensive gem for the Americans, throwing Joey Ortiz out at third from right field.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:48 PM PDT
On a Brice Turang double, Roman Anthony made a dash for home from first base.
His Red Sox teammate Jarren Duran had other ideas. Duran’s throw, relayed from Nick Gonzalez to Alejandro Kirk, beat Anthony to the plate to keep this game tied 0-0.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:36 PM PDT
Paul Skenes notches two more strikeouts and then gets Nacho Alvarez Jr. to fly out to end the top of the second.
USA bats are coming back to the plate.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:29 PM PDT
The U.S. loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on a single from Aaron Judge and walks from Kyle Schwarber and Alex Bregman, all with two outs.
But Mexico’s Manny Barreda got Cal Raleigh to strike out to keep it scoreless through the first frame.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:23 PM PDT
Jason Owens
Paul Skenes is off to a strong start. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Cy Young winner and USA ace hit 100 mph in a 1-2-3 top of the first inning vs. Mexico.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM PDT
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 2:01 PM PDT
Skubal will rejoin the Tigers at spring training after Monday’s game.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 1:29 PM PDT
Fred Zinkie
Monday’s lineup is the same as the one Team USA rolled out for Friday’s win over Brazil.