USA vs. Venezuela: Live updates from World Baseball Classic final

theScore provides analysis and insights for the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic between the United States and Venezuela. Refresh the page for updates.

Venezuela strikes 1st

A lot of baseball fans are getting to know how good Maikel Garcia is at this World Baseball Classic. The Kansas City Royals third baseman owns a 1.048 OPS for the tournament, and drove in the first run for Venezuela on a sac fly.

After two strong innings to open the game, things seemed to speed up a bit on U.S. starter Nolan McLean in the third. He allowed a single and a walk, and then yanked a wild pitch that allowed both runners to move into scoring position. That mistake immediately came back to bite him.

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Dream start for each pitcher

The first inning couldn't have gone much better for Nolan McLean. After surrendering a 108.4-mph single to Ronald Acuna Jr. on the first pitch of the game, the 24-year-old got Maikel Garcia to ground into a double play and Luis Arraez to fly out to center field. Three outs on five pitches. McLean got into trouble in the second inning against Italy, so we'll see how he responds.

Eduardo Rodriguez needed only nine pitches to retire the side. Bobby Witt Jr. flied out, Bryce Harper popped out, and Aaron Judge struck out. It's clear both of these teams planned to be aggressive early.

loanDepot Park is loud

This certainly isn't a Marlins game. The atmosphere at loanDepot Park has been incredible for the entire World Baseball Classic, and if the pregame introductions and anthems are any indication, it should be another raucous crowd tonight. It seems like the Venezuelan fans might be outnumbering the American fans.

How to watch 📺

🇺🇸: FOX
🇨🇦: Sportsnet
🏟️: loanDepot Park, Miami

Lineups

Nolan McLean: The New York Mets' rookie right-hander's only start in the tournament came in a loss to Italy. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four. McLean also surrendered solo homers to left-handed hitters Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci over 55 pitches. U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said that star closer Mason Miller is available if needed.

Eduardo Rodriguez: The 32-year-old veteran left-hander struggled in his only start of the tournament, though it came against the offensive juggernaut Dominican Republic. Rodriguez allowed three runs over 2 2/3 innings, all of which came off homers from Juan Soto and Ketel Marte. However, E-Rod, who has 235 MLB starts under his belt, struck out five in the 53-pitch outing. Manager Omar López said Monday that he expects to have every reliever available, though that might not be the case.

United States look golden 🥇

The Americans arrived at loanDepot Park decked out in Team USA hockey jerseys. The squad was gifted game-used apparel from the men's Olympic gold medal-winning team.

How we got here

The United States and Venezuela meet in the WBC final for the first time. The United States won the tournament in 2017, while Venezuela's best finish was third in 2009. The U.S. lost 3-2 to Japan in the 2023 final after eliminating the Venezuelans 9-7 in the quarters.

Both countries finished second in their respective pools this tournament and enter the final with identical 5-1 records.

The United States is coming in off an off-day Monday, while Venezuela played Monday night against Italy.

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