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USA vs Canada: World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal Showdown
14 Mar
Summary
- USA faces Canada in a crucial World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game.
- The game is a single-elimination match determining advancement.
- Both teams will start MLB veteran pitchers for the critical matchup.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic continues Friday with a pivotal quarterfinal match between the United States and Canada, hosted at Daikin Park in Houston. This contest is a win-or-go-home scenario, as the victor will advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the Dominican Republic vs. Korea game, while the loser is eliminated from the tournament.
Both teams are set to start established Major League Baseball pitchers. The U.S. will rely on San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb, while Canada counters with Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka. With the pitch count rising to 80 in the quarterfinals, both pitchers have the potential to contribute significantly to their team's efforts. However, the high stakes mean that effectiveness will be closely monitored, and either pitcher could be removed early if they struggle.
The American squad is looking to rebound after an unexpected loss to Italy in their previous pool play game. Manager Mark DeRosa acknowledged this defeat served as a significant wake-up call. The U.S. team aims to emulate the success of their hockey counterparts, who recently secured gold medals by defeating Canada in the Milano Cortina Games.
