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Mar 13, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; United States center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts with first base coach George Lombard (23) after hitting an RBI single during the sixth inning against Canada during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The quarterfinals have begun in the World Baseball Classic, which means we now have the best of the best playing still in the tournament. How did the first two games go?
Dominican Republic 10, Korea 0 (7 innings)
The other day, in the TGP Slack room, I had mentioned that I had a hot take. That hot take was that Korea was going to upset the Dominican Republic in this round. They had put a scare into Japan in Japan’s home stadium during pool play, so I figured that there would be an overconfidence factor at play.
I was very, very wrong.
This Dominican team just continues demolishing everyone in their path, racking up big runs and using power and speed now to overtake their opponent. Last night, they added some starting pitching to their repertoire. Cristopher Sanchez turned in a sparkling start, going five innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out eight. He was magnificent.
In the seventh, the Dominican had two runners on and a chance to end the game. Austin Wells stepped up and took care of business.
This is a really good team.
United States 5, Canada 3
A closer than expected victory but a victory nonetheless, the United States rode some clutch hitting and solid relief pitching to a win over their northern neighbors to claim supremacy in two sports this year. It started with an RBI groundout from your favorite DH and mine in the first inning to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
In the third inning, with bases loaded and two outs, Alex Bregman hit an infield single that third baseman Abraham Toro threw into the dugout for two runs and a 3-0 lead.
Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong had RBI singles in the sixth inning to stretch that lead to 5-0, a lead that Logan Webb was holding up with relative ease through five innings of work. However, in the bottom of the sixth, the Canadian lineup starting stirring when Tyler Black hit an RBI single to make it 5-1, followed by a two-run home run by Bo Naylor to cut that lead to 5-3.
However, the rest of the U.S. bullpen slammed the door shut the rest of the game and held the victory. That sets up a showdown on Sunday between the United States and the Dominican Republic that might end up being the best baseball game of this 2026 calendar year.
It will be must see theater.
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