Venezuela won the 2026 World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The win marked Venezuela's first championship in the tournament's history.[1][2]
Prior to this final, the World Baseball Classic had been won by Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023, the Dominican Republic in 2013, and the United States in 2017.[3][4] Venezuela had advanced to the final after a semifinal win over Italy on March 16.
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 32-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings. He allowed one single to Brice Turang, struck out four batters including United States captain Aaron Judge twice, and threw 57 pitches before being relieved by manager Omar Lopez.[5]
Venezuela took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia. Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to make it 2-0.[6]
The United States reliever Nolan McLean started on the mound. Venezuela's relievers, including Jose Butto, limited the United States to two hits and four baserunners through eight innings. Bryce Harper singled in the sixth.
In the bottom of the eighth, Bobby Witt Jr. walked with two outs, and Harper hit a two-run home run off Andres Machado to tie the score at 2-2.
Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth against Garrett Whitlock. A walk, stolen base by pinch-runner Javier Sanoja, and an RBI double by Eugenio Suarez scored the go-ahead run for a 3-2 advantage.
Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony while Gunnar Henderson popped out.
The championship round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic was held March 17-22 at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.[1][2]
Sources
- MLB.com
loanDepot park to host 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinals, final
16 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/miami-loandepot-park-to-host-2026-wbc-semis-finals - WBSC.org
2026 World Baseball Classic venues confirmed
16 October 2024
https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-venues-confirmed - MLB.com
World Baseball Classic History
Accessed 2024
https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/history - Wikipedia
World Baseball Classic
Accessed 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic - Baseball-Reference.com
Eduardo Rodriguez Player Page
Accessed 2024
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodried03.shtml - MLB.com
Wilyer Abreu Player Page
Accessed 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742