Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The win came after a semifinal victory over Italy the previous night.
Prior to the final, only three teams had claimed WBC titles: the United States in 2017, Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023, and the Dominican Republic in 2013.[1][2]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 33-year-old left-handed pitcher who recorded a 5.02 ERA over 2024 and 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings. He allowed one hit to Brice Turang and struck out four batters, including U.S. captain Aaron Judge.[3][4]
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to give Venezuela a 2-0 lead. Maikel Garcia added an RBI flyout in the third inning for the first run.[5]
Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning for the United States, tying the score at 2-2. In the ninth, Eugenio Suárez delivered an RBI double with one out after a walk and stolen base, scoring the go-ahead run.
Daniel Palencia closed the game for Venezuela in the bottom of the ninth, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony while Gunnar Henderson popped out.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic final was held at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, which also hosted the 2023 championship game.[6]
Sources
- MLB, "World Baseball Classic," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
- Wikipedia, "World Baseball Classic," accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
- Baseball-Reference, "Eduardo Rodriguez Stats," accessed October 2024, https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodried03.shtml
- MLB, "Eduardo Rodriguez Stats," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-571760
- MLB, "Wilyer Abreu Stats," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742