Team USA Schedule and Matchup for World Baseball Classic Semifinals

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The Team USA schedule for the World Baseball Classic continues on Sunday, March 15, against Team Dominican Republic.

The Team USA schedule for the 2026 World Baseball Classic continues on Sunday, March 15, with a semifinal showdown against Juan Soto and Team Dominican Republic. Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates will get the ball for the Americans as the squad attempts to reach the finals for the third straight tournament.

Here’s the schedule for the World Baseball Classic semifinals:

Team Italy is in the semifinals for the first time in the history of the WBC. They’ll take on Team Venezuela, who kept Team Japan from reaching the semis for the first time.

Team USA Schedule for the World Baseball Classic: Semifinal Matchup Against Team Dominican Republic

Team USA punched its ticket to the semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Team Canada on Friday, March 13. The Americans took a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning on a Kyle Schwarber RBI single and never looked back. Alex Bregman drove in another run with an infield hit in the 3rd inning. Another run scored on that play following an Abraham Toro throwing error. Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong extended the advantage with run-scoring hits in the 6th inning.

The Canadians put together a comeback bid in the bottom of the 6th inning. Tyler Black got Team Canada on the board with an RBI single. Southpaw Gabe Speier was called upon to relieve Brad Keller and face lefty Bo Naylor. The catcher promptly greeted the Seattle Mariners reliever with a two-run home run. The Americans faced more adversity in the 7th inning, with David Bednar allowing back-to-back singles to begin the frame. A Cal Raleigh passed ball put the tying run in scoring position. Bednar wiggled out of the jam with a pop-up and two strikeouts.

Skenes will head back to the bump for his second start of the tournament. The reigning National League Cy Young winner delivered four scoreless innings during pool play against Team Mexico. Skenes struck out seven and ceded just two baserunners. Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony backed Skenes with 3rd inning home runs as the Americans cruised to a 5-3 win.

Team Dominican Republic Rolls Into the Final Four

Team Dominican Republic has put on an impressive display so far in the tournament. The squad opened the event with a dominant 12-3 victory over Team Nicaragua. The Dominicans put up another dozen runs against Team Netherlands, then crushed Team Israel by a score of 10-1. The team’s tightest game was against Team Venezuela, though the stakes were lessened with both clubs already advancing to the quarterfinals. Team Dominican Republic won 7-5 to finish atop Pool D.

The Dominicans smashed Team Korea on Friday, March 13, to earn a spot in the semifinals. Austin Wells slugged a “walk-off” three-run home run to enact the mercy rule and wrap up the 10-0 victory in seven innings. Philadelphia Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez tossed five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. Athletics right-hander Luis Severino will draw the nod against Team USA. The veteran allowed one earned run over four innings against Team Netherlands in his first outing of the tournament.