The United States beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a World Baseball Classic semifinal on March 15, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, securing a place in the final.[1][2]

The U.S. team, managed by Mark DeRosa, will face the winner of the March 16 semifinal between Venezuela and Italy.[1] The Americans lost to Japan 3-2 in the 2023 WBC final at Dodger Stadium.[3]

Gunnar Henderson, shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles who also plays third base, hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning off Dominican Republic starter Luis Severino to tie the score at 1-1.[4] Roman Anthony, top outfield prospect for the Boston Red Sox, followed with a solo homer later in the inning against reliever Gregory Soto, giving the U.S. a 2-1 lead.[5]

Junior Caminero, third baseman and top prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays, hit a solo home run off U.S. starter Paul Skenes in the bottom of the second.[6] Skenes pitched 4.1 innings, allowing six hits and one earned run with two strikeouts.

Severino pitched 3.1 innings for the Dominican Republic, allowing five hits and striking out six.[7] The U.S. bullpen, including David Bednar, Garrett Whitlock and Mason Miller, preserved the lead, with Miller earning the save despite loading the bases in the ninth.

Key defensive plays included Aaron Judge throwing out Fernando Tatis Jr. at third base in the bottom of the third.[8]

loanDepot park is the home stadium of the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball.[2] The 2026 WBC semifinals are hosted there, with the final scheduled for March 18.[1]

Sources

1. World Baseball Classic official site, "2026 Schedule," accessed November 2024, https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/schedule?year=2026
2. Miami Marlins official site, "loanDepot park," accessed November 2024, https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark
3. MLB.com, "Japan repeats as World Baseball Classic champions with 3-2 win over Team USA," March 21, 2023, https://www.mlb.com/news/japan-wins-world-baseball-classic-with-3-2-win-over-usa
4. MLB.com, "Gunnar Henderson player page," accessed November 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/gunnar-henderson-666174
5. MLB.com, "Roman Anthony player page," accessed November 2024, https://www.mlb.com/prospects/roman-anthony-696128