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Team USA returns to the finals of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), after beating the Dominican Republic, 2-1, in a thriller in Miami on Sunday night.
The United States, which lost to Japan in the WBC final in 2023, will seek redemption against Venezuela or Italy, who will play their semifinal on Monday night.
The hype and hysteria that arose in this contest between two world baseball powers was on par despite what the box score said. Both teams struggled during key moments as they matched the raucous 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 Loan Depot Park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Of course, the dugout and the Dominican faithful were furious when Junior Caminero, the Tampa Bay Rays’ 22-year-old rising star, hit a Skenes swing ball in the bottom of the second inning with two strikes. The ball was launched into left field more than 400 feet and his patented celebration ensued.
The Dominican Republic got the first strike against Skenes, who was looking forward to this start against a lineup filled with some of the best baseball players in the MLB. But two innings later, it was Team USA’s young stars who turned the game in their favor.
Gunnar Henderson, whom manager Mark DeRosa chose to play third base, his secondary position as shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, over Alex Bregman, one of the best defensive players at the hot corner in the MLB, because of how well he hit Luis Severino. The veteran right-hander was excited about his start in the Dominican Republic, and his excitement showed it.
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However, DeRosa’s decision came down to the success Henderson had against Severino. The decision paid off, as Henderson hit a moonshot over the right-center field fence to tie the game in one piece.
Severino was pulled after one more 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 completing the count, Anthony took advantage of a fastball right up the middle, launching it over the center field wall for a 2-1 lead.
Paul Skenes of Team USA reacts after allowing 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 American dugout was on the field, as Anthony gestured on his chest, showing his pride as he celebrated with his teammates.
It was just 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 inning and not being able to cross. Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber struck out to end the inning, setting off Severino, who yelled toward the Team USA dugout.
But Judge clearly let that slip from his mind, as he had a crucial defensive play in the bottom of the third inning when he tackled Fernando Tatis Jr. trying to move from first base to third. Tatis, who is a fast runner, trailed by a mile, and Judge showed that his elbow, which caused problems in 2025, is more than fine heading into the 2026 season.
The Dominicans finally ejected Skenes from the game after 4.1 innings, when their final line read six hits, one earned run on Caminero’s home run, and two strikeouts. Severino lasted 3.1 innings, allowing five hits and striking out six Team USA batters in an impressive outing that saw triple-digit fastballs on the radar.
Luis Severino of Team Dominican Republic reacts after striking out Kyle Schwarber #12 (not pictured) of Team USA to end the third inning at LoanDepot Park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The United States knew that a 2-1 lead wasn’t enough, but as the Dominican bullpen continued to hold their bats and Julio Rodríguez appeared to rob Judge of a home run, they needed their own relievers to come forward. After Tyler Rogers and Griffin Jax did their job, 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 even.
Garrett Whitlock was solid in the eighth inning to keep the one-run lead alive, leading to the easiest decision for DeRosa that night: Mason Miller pitched the ninth.
The San Diego Padres’ All-Star closer got a strikeout to start the inning, but things got interesting when he walked Rodriguez and Will Smith couldn’t handle a pitch from Miller that allowed a free pass to second base.
Team USA’s Gunnar Henderson rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in 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. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos)
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Oneil Cruz moved Rodríguez to third with a peanut to Bobby Witt Jr., leaving Geraldo Perdomo as the Dominican Republic’s last hope. He had a decisive at-bat early in the game, one that could have tied it if Wells read the liner to center field from second base better.
But Miller had Perdomo go for a 3-2 slider deep in the zone to secure Team USA’s spot in the WBC finals.
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