The group stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic has reached it\u2019s final day. Just three games remain in pool play before the knockout stage begins on Wednesday. How fitting it is that this final day of the group stage might also be one of the most impactful of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Game No. 1: Canada at Cuba (Rep\u00fablica de Cuba)<\/p>\n
Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium \u2014 San Juan, Puerto Rico<\/p>\n
Team Canada (2-1) faces off against Team Cuba (2-1) in a win-or-go-home match to close out San Juan\u2019s Pool A. With Puerto Rico having already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, the winner of this afternoon\u2019s game will advance to the knockout round.<\/p>\n
On the bump for Canada is former Rockies righty Cal Quantrill. Quantrill is the son of former Canadian big league pitcher\u2014and current Team Canada pitching coach\u2014Paul Quantrill and will be making his first appearance of the tournament in today\u2019s start. Rockies prospect lefty and 2025 draft pick Antoine Jean will also look to get into today\u2019s game. At the plate, Rockies infielder Edouard Julien looks to get hot after notching his first hit of the tournament against Puerto Rico on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Left-handed pitcher Livan Moinelo will make his second start of the Classic for Team Cuba. The 30-year-old\u2014who pitches for Nippon Professional Baseball\u2019s Fukuoka Softbank Hawks during the regular season\u2014worked a scoreless 3 2\/3 innings his last time out with four strikeouts, two walks, and two hits given up.<\/p>\n
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM<\/p>\n
RHP Cal Quantrill vs LHP Livan Moinelo<\/p>\n
Game No. 2: Italy (Repubblica Italiana) at Mexico (Estados Unidos Mexicanos)<\/p>\n
Venue: Daikin Park \u2014 Houston, Texas, USA<\/p>\n
After Italy\u2019s stunning upset of Team USA on Tuesday, the fate of three teams now hangs on this one game.<\/p>\n
If the Italians (3-0) win this evening and complete the group stage with an undefeated record, they will advance along with the United States (3-1) and Mexico (2-1) will be eliminated.<\/p>\n
If Mexico wins while scoring six or more runs, they will advance along with the United States and Italy will be eliminated.<\/p>\n
If Mexico wins and scores five or fewer runs, they will advance along with Italy and the United States will be eliminated.<\/p>\n
If Mexico wins and scores exactly five runs, they will advance and the final spot in Houston\u2019s Pool B will depend on other tiebreaker scenarios.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed starter Austin Nola will take the mound for Team Italy, making his first appearance of the tournament. Benji Gil and Vinny Castilla\u2019s Team Mexico has yet to announce their starter.<\/p>\n
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM<\/p>\n
Game No. 3: Dominican Republic (Rep\u00fablica Dominicana) at Venezuela (Venezuela (Rep\u00fablica Bolivariana de Venezuela)<\/p>\n
Venue: loanDepot Park \u2014 Miami, Florida, USA<\/p>\n
Both participants in the final game of Miami\u2019s Pool D have already clinched their places in the knockout stage with 3-0 records, meaning tonight\u2019s group stage finale is for the pool\u2019s top seed and for pride.<\/p>\n
Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara will get the start for the Dominican Republic in his home ballpark, backed up by a lineup jam-packed with talent like Juan Soto, Julio Rodr\u00edguez, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Meanwhile, Rockies reliever Juan Mejia\u2014who has already pitched a scoreless inning this tournament\u2014and former Rockies reliever Carlos Est\u00e9vez are primed to make appearances from the bullpen.<\/p>\n
Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Eduardo Rodr\u00edguez will take the mound for Venezuela with his own murderer\u2019s row behind him. Luis Arr\u00e1ez already has multiple extra-base hits\u2014including two home runs\u2014while Braves star Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr is 4-for-10 with a home run of his own. The pair are joined by Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who is 3-for-3 with a double and a walk so far this tournament. Rockies right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela may have the chance to come out of the bullpen for his first appearance of the Classic as well.<\/p>\n
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM<\/p>\n
RHP Sandy Alcantara vs LHP Eduardo Rodr\u00edguez<\/p>\n