{"id":619905,"date":"2026-03-12T09:47:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T09:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/619905\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:47:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T09:47:55","slug":"wbc-daily-canada-hands-cuba-a-historic-loss-italy-and-usa-advance-mexico-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/619905\/","title":{"rendered":"WBC Daily: Canada Hands Cuba a Historic Loss; Italy and USA Advance, Mexico Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Team USA will see its WBC campaign continue thanks to Italy’s espresso-powered home runs. And two teams with high hopes are going home early.<\/p>\n

It’s the final day of World Baseball Classic pool play, and we’re in for some drama. Recapping Wednesday’s action.<\/p>\n

JUMP TO: \u00a0Canada In, Cuba Out<\/a> | USA Awaits Italy-Mexico Winner<\/a> | D.R. Beats Venezuela In Heavyweight Bout<\/a><\/p>\n

Canada Wins Pool A; Cuba’s First-Round Exit Ever<\/p>\n

Canada<\/a> advanced past the first round of the World Baseball Classic<\/a> for the first time, beating Cuba<\/a> 7-2 Wednesday in a winner-take-all game at San Juan, Puerto Rico<\/a>, behind Abraham Toro’s<\/a> homer and Otto Lopez’s<\/a> two-run single.<\/p>\n

Cuba, one of the premier baseball countries in the world, was knocked out in the first round for the first time in the tournament’s history.<\/p>\n

Canada vs. Cuba Highlights \u26be\ufe0f World Baseball Classic on FOX \"Canada<\/a> <\/p>\n

Brothers Bo Naylor<\/a> and Josh Naylor<\/a> drove in runs, Owen Caissie<\/a> had two RBIs and reliever James Paxton<\/a> struck out six over 2 2\/3 scoreless innings for Canada (3-1), which eliminated the Cubans (2-2) and won Group A over Puerto Rico (3-1).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Canada and Puerto Rico will play the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend.<\/p>\n

Mexico Takes On Italy; USA Awaits Fate<\/p>\n

Team USA can thank Vinnie Pasquantino and Italy for advancing into the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

Behind the Royals’ slugger’s three home runs, Italy throttled Mexico to win Pool B and move into the knockout rounds. Team USA, who lost to Italy on Tuesday, will finish as the group’s runners-up and next take on Canada on Saturday in Houston.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It proved to be a bitter exit for a Mexico team that had plenty of MLB talent but couldn’t muster only single run against the Italians.<\/p>\n

Vinnie Pasquantino hits solo home run, giving Italy early lead over Mexico \"Vinnie<\/a> <\/p>\n

As for Pasquantino, it is the first game in WBC history where a hitter has scored three homers. Italy will take on Puerto Rico in what should be a riveting quarterfinal game on Friday, also in Houston.<\/p>\n

Dominican Republic, Venezuela To Settle Pool D<\/p>\n

It was game between two WBC heavyweights in an electric atmosphere in Miami.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Dominican Republic defeated Venezuela to clinch Pool D, with both teams already having booked spots in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela Highlights \u26be\ufe0f World Baseball Classic on FOX \"Dominican<\/a> <\/p>\n

Juan Soto, Ketel Marte, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. all hit home runs for the Dominicans in the win.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Dominican Republic advances to face Korea in the quarterfinals on March 13 in Miami. Venezuela must face defending champion Japan in its quarterfinal match at loanDepot Park.
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