USA shuts down DR stars in thriller to return to 3rd straight Classic final
MIAMI – The game met the hype. And the Americans met the moment. In a semifinals matchup rife with many of baseball’s biggest names and a game rife with the kind of tension that makes the sport great, Team USA outlasted the Dominican Republic, 2-1, on Sunday night at loanDepot
Venezuela, Italy set to battle for trip to title game (8 p.m. ET, FS1)
Put on the espresso because Italy is coming! For the first time in tournament history, the azzurri are in the semifinals, its team of espresso-shot-taking, cheek-kissing home run hitters blasting its way to Miami. Italy has hit the second-most home runs in the tournament behind the Dominican Republic, with Vinnie
Home field in Classic final could come down to literal coin flip
MIAMI -- When MLB instituted its current postseason format in 2022, it did away with coin flips that determined home-field advantage in October, because a new, mathematical tiebreaker system was instituted. But lovers of the coin toss will be pleased to know it can still happen in the World Baseball
He had a .532 OPS as a rookie. But this Team Italy masher looks ready to break out
A .532 OPS in your rookie season tends to lower expectations, even for one of baseball’s top prospects. But Jac Caglianone has reset them in a hurry this spring. Blasting three balls over 115 mph -- including one at 120.2 mph -- in less than a week will do that.
Roman's monster Classic doesn't surprise his teammates in the slightest
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Another magical moment by Roman Anthony in the World Baseball Classic -- this one a go-ahead solo shot that led Team USA to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Team Dominican Republic in the semifinals on Sunday night -- left his teammates at Red Sox camp in
Pujols on DR's exit: 'I don't want to focus on the last pitch'
MIAMI -- It was a team seemingly on course with destiny: 13 years after its lone World Baseball Classic title, the Dominican Republic had stormed through its first five games, battering any opponent that stood in its way. It was leading the tournament in home runs, runs scored and pitching
Nola to start for Italy in semifinal vs. Venezuela, not Lorenzen
Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli is making a change to his pitching plans for tonight's World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup against Venezuela (8 ET on FS1): Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola will get the start instead of previously announced starter Michael Lorenzen.
1 player who has made a big impression in each camp
Spring Training is arguably the best time for a player to make a good impression on his team. When a hitter or pitcher turns heads in the lead-up to Opening Day, it can set the tone for his entire season, offer a preview of what's to come, and make for
Ready to start up Dodgers' title defense, Yamamoto named Opening Day starter
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- He got the final outs of the Dodgers' successful title defense, and he'll be the first to take the ball as the team opens its bid for a three-peat. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start on Opening Day for the second straight year, manager Dave Roberts announced on Monday.
McLean raring to go in Classic title tilt: 'I'm built for this'
MIAMI -- When the United States assembled its super team for this World Baseball Classic, the selections were skewed toward established stars not just because of their talent but because of the guaranteed contracts that make them more prone to participate.
How Musgrove's likely IL stint affects Padres' rotation plans
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Joe Musgrove will “most likely” begin the regular season on the injured list. That’s what Padres manager Craig Stammen said prior to the club’s Cactus League game against the Giants on Monday afternoon at Peoria Sports Complex.
On the field and in the clubhouse, McGonigle showing he belongs in the Majors
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Kevin McGonigle was getting ready to head to the Tigers clubhouse bathroom to wash his face Monday morning when he was stopped for a quick interview. As he was explaining his mindset heading into the final week of Spring Training and his approach to the barrage of
3 moments that decided USA-Dominican Republic Classic semifinal
Baseball is a game of inches, and that was evident throughout Team USA’s thrilling 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Sunday night in Miami. Yes, the classic contest ended with a disputed called third strike against Dominican Republic shortstop Geraldo Perdomo -- but
Electric homer was all proof USA needed that starting Gunnar was right call
Team USA's surplus of elite infielders would leave any manager sick with envy -- in theory. In practice, USA manager Mark DeRosa has to leave a top-tier player on the bench every day, and more often than not, the odd man out has been Gunnar Henderson, crowded out by another
Skenes opens up about Classic experience, wants to bring that excitement to Pittsburgh
MIAMI -- After Paul Skenes exited Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic, he found himself in a conversation with Clayton Kershaw and posed a question to the Dodgers legend. Skenes asked where the WBC -- an incredible event where this particular game packed 36,337 inside a raucous
Kim arrives at Braves' camp, 'trying to stay in a positive mindset' after surgery
NORTH PORT, Fla. – Ha-Seong Kim wasn’t willing to confirm he’s aiming to join Atlanta’s lineup during the first half of May. But the Braves shortstop arrived at Spring Training on Monday looking to further distance himself from the patch of ice that led to surgery. “I’m just trying to
J-Rod flips the script on USA, robbing Judge at the wall
MIAMI – In the bottom of the fourth inning, Dominican Republic center fielder Julio Rodríguez was drilled in the hand by a Paul Skenes fastball. A half-inning later and any lingering pain had surely disappeared. With one out in the top of the fifth inning of the World Baseball Classic
Benge on roster? Senga in rotation? And more key questions for Mets
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Giants lose perfect game, then no-hitter with one out to go
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Robbie Ray said he felt like he was in a flow state on the mound on Sunday, and it showed. The veteran left-hander fired five perfect innings to help the Giants come within one out of a combined perfect game in a 7-1 win over the Brewers
Caminero's HR off Skenes helps Team DR set record with 15 in Classic
MIAMI -- The Dominican Republic has had a lot of use for its home run jacket. The team, which has become renowned for its bat flips, celebrations and teamwide parties at home plate, has worn out a path around the bases during this year’s World Baseball Classic.
A walk-off HR robbery so good it kicked off a party on the warning track
In the end, it was Lawless who got robbed. Tennessee sophomore Stone Lawless thought he'd powered the Volunteers to a ninth-inning lead against Georgia on Sunday when he crushed a towering drive to left off Bulldogs righty Justin Byrd that appeared bound to clear the fence. After the ball met
Lindor feels 'pretty much like myself' in reassuring spring debut
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- At one point Sunday, Francisco Lindor dived to his left in hopes of corralling a Jesús Sánchez single. An inning later, Lindor hit a foul ball a projected 391 feet down the right-field line at Clover Park, plenty deep enough to have been a home
J-Ram exits Sunday's game with left shoulder inflammation
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Suffice to say, José Ramírez is indispensable to the Guardians’ success and their plans for 2026. So, alarm bells went off when the 33-year-old was removed from Sunday’s game against the A’s at Goodyear Ballpark. Carter Kieboom pinch-hit for Ramírez in the bottom of the fourth inning.