Quarterfinal Games and Team USA’s Matchup

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The WBC schedule continues on Friday, March 13, with Team USA playing Team Canada.

The WBC schedule heads to the quarterfinals on Friday, March 13, with Team USA battling against Team Canada for a ticket to the next round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The Americans will take on the Canadians at 8 p.m. ET at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros. The game will air on FOX. The rest of the quarterfinals matchups are as follows:

• Friday, March 13: Team Korea vs. Team Dominican Republic at 6:30 p.m. ET
• Saturday, March 14: Team Puerto Rico vs. Team Italy at 3 p.m. ET
• Saturday, March 14: Team Venezuela vs. Team Japan at 9 p.m. ET

Team USA finished second in Pool B with a 3-1 record. The squad was nearly bounced from the tournament after falling to Team Italy, which could’ve forced a three-way tie at the top of the group. Fortunately, the Italians knocked off Team Mexico to earn a spot in the quarterfinals, while also helping Team USA advance to the weekend.

WBC Schedule for the Quarterfinals: Team USA Takes on Team Canada

Team USA seemed to be cruising to the semifinals early in the tournament. The Americans crushed Team Brazil by a score of 15-5 in their opening game of the event. They easily dispatched Team Britain in Game 2, winning 9-1. Team Mexico put up a fight late, but Team USA held on for a 5-3 victory to move to 3-0.

The Americans headed to their final game of pool play with a strong chance to reach the next round, though the spot wasn’t guaranteed. A win over Team Italy would’ve guaranteed advancement, but a loss would complicate matters. Manager Mark DeRosa seemed not to know that Team USA had not locked up a quarterfinal spot. He did not run out the “A” lineup against Team Italy, and the Americans fell 8-6.

DeRosa was given a reprieve on the final day of pool play, as the Italians crushed Team Mexico, 9-1. Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino slugged three home runs to power Team Italy to the No. 1 position in Pool B.

Who is on Team Canada?

Team Canada made history on Wednesday, March 11, with a win over Team Cuba to secure a spot in the next round. The Canadians have never reached the quarterfinals of the event. They went 3-1 in Pool A, matching Team Puerto Rico. The Cubans fell to 2-2 with the loss, bouncing them from the tournament.

The Canadians are led by the Naylor brothers, Josh and Bo. The squad boasts major-league talent up and down the roster. New Miami Marlins outfielder Owen Caissie is joined by teammate Otto Lopez near the top of the lineup. Fellow Marlin Liam Hicks is behind the plate. MLB veterans Tyler O’Neill, Abraham Toro, and Edouard Julien fill out the order. Exciting Athletics outfielder Denzel Clarke mans center field.

The Team Canada pitching staff includes major-league righties Jameson Taillon, Michael Soroka, and Cal Quantrill. The 31-year-old Quantrill picked up the win against Team Cuba. Lefties Logan Allen and James Paxton are on hand to eat up innings. The bullpen includes Rob Zastryzny and Phillippe Aumont, both of whom have MLB experience.