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Team USA is back in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final, beating the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a thriller in Miami on Sunday night.
The United States, who fell to Japan in the WBC final in 2023, will look to redeem themselves against Venezuela or Italy, who will play their semi-final on Monday evening.
The hype and hysteria that marked this contest between two global baseball powers lived up to it, despite what the box score said. Both teams came out on top in key moments, while adapting to the noisy energy of the crowd.
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Roman Anthony of Team USA runs around the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team Dominican Republic during the fourth inning at LoanDepot Park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Of course, the dugout and the Dominican Republic faithful went crazy when Junior Caminero, the 22-year-old rising star of the Tampa Bay Rays, belted a hanging fly ball from Skenes in the bottom of the second inning with two strikes. The ball was thrown to left field more than 400 feet, and their patented celebration ensued.
The DR got the first base for Skenes, who was looking forward to this start against a lineup filled with some of the best baseball players in MLB. But two rounds later, it was the young stars of the American team who turned the situation in their favor.
Gunnar Henderson, who manager Mark DeRosa chose to play third base, his secondary shortstop position for the Baltimore Orioles, opposite Alex Bregman, one of the best hot corner defensive players in MLB, because of the way he hit Luis Severino. The veteran right-hander was excited for his departure to the Dominican Republic, and his emotion showed it.
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However, DeRosa’s decision depended on Henderson’s success against Severino. The decision paid off, as Henderson hit a moonshot over the right-center field fence to tie the game at one apiece.
Severino was removed after an extra batter for Gregory Soto, who was facing Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony, the 21-year-old who had a great first appearance in the WBC. After going for the full count, Anthony took advantage of a fastball right down the middle, launching it over the center field wall to take a 2-1 lead.
Paul Skenes of Team USA reacts after giving up a home run to Junior Caminero #13 (not pictured) of Team Dominican Republic during the second inning at LoanDepot Park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The entire USA dugout was on the field, as Anthony made a sign on his chest, showing his pride as he celebrated with his teammates.
It was exactly what Team USA needed in the top of the fourth inning, especially after having runners on second and third with one out in the previous frame and failing to put up any runs. Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber both struck out to end the inning, igniting Severino who screamed towards the Team USA dugout.
But Judge clearly let that get out of his head, as he made a crucial defensive play in the bottom of the third inning when he downed Fernando Tatis Jr. while trying to move from first base to third. Tatis, who is a fast runner, was knocked out by a mile, with Judge proving that his elbow, which caused issues in 2025, is more than fine heading into the 2026 season.
The Dominicans finally chased Skenes from the game after 4.1 innings, as his final line read six hits, one earned run on Caminero’s homer and two strikeouts. Severino lasted 3.1 innings, allowing five hits while striking out six Team USA batters in an impressive outing that saw fastballs in the triple digits on the radar gun.
Luis Severino of the Dominican Republic team reacts after picking off Team USA’s Kyle Schwarber #12 (not pictured) to finish the third inning at LoanDepot Park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The U.S. knew a 2-1 lead wasn’t enough, but as the Dominican bullpen continued to stifle their bats and Julio Rodriguez appeared to rob Judge of a home run, they needed their own relievers to get through. After Tyler Rogers and Griffin Jax did their thing, David Bednar found himself in trouble with runners on second and third with one out – the same situation Judge and Schwarber found themselves in – in the bottom of the seventh.
But Bednar, who escaped a similar situation against Canada in the quarterfinals, struck out Tatis and Ketel Marte to get out of trouble and keep the score the same.
Garrett Whitlock was strong in the eighth inning to maintain the one-run lead, leading to the easiest decision for DeRosa of the night: Mason Miller will pitch the ninth.
The San Diego Padres All-Star got a strikeout to start the inning, but things got interesting when he walked Rodriguez and Will Smith couldn’t handle a throw from Miller that allowed a free pass to second base.
Gunnar Henderson of Team USA rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of the 2026 WBC World Baseball Classic presented by Capital One game between Team USA and Team Dominican Republic at LoanDepot Park on Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photos Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB)
Oneil Cruz moved Rodriguez to third place with a peanut against Bobby Witt Jr., leaving Geraldo Perdomo as the DR’s last hope. He had a clutch at-bat earlier in the game, one that could have tied the game if Wells had read the line to center field from second base better.
But Miller got Perdomo looking for a 3-2 slider at the bottom of the zone to secure Team USA’s spot in the WBC final.
