In the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Italy defeated Brazil 8-0 in their Pool B opener at Daikin Park in Houston. Sam Aldegheri, the first Italian-born pitcher in MLB since 1947, delivered a standout performance with 4 2/3 scoreless innings. The win marks a strong start for Italy, who aim to elevate baseball in their country.
HOUSTON -- Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli set a clear objective entering the World Baseball Classic: to "put Italy on the map" as a baseball country. For the opening game against Brazil on Saturday at Daikin Park, Cervelli selected Sam Aldegheri to start. The 24-year-old left-hander, born in Verona, Italy, and raised in San Martino Buon Albergo, made his international debut in the uniform.
Aldegheri rose to the challenge, pitching 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out eight batters. This performance led Italy to an 8-0 victory over Brazil. Cervelli, who has known Aldegheri for nearly two years, praised him as "the first pitcher ever pitching in the Major Leagues [born and raised] in Italy." He added, "We had this idea a long time ago about [saving] this game for him."
Aldegheri, who debuted in MLB on August 30, 2024, with the Angels after signing with the Phillies in 2019 and being traded in 2024, described the pressure of the moment. "I was trying to not think about it the last couple of days," he said. "But this morning I was feeling a lot of pressure." During the Italian national anthem, he experienced goosebumps and reflected on emotions tied to his homeland. His first strikeout helped him settle, as he reminded himself to "Be you."
Italy's offense struggled early against Brazil starter Enzo Sawayama but broke through in the sixth inning. Astros outfielder Zach Dezenzo opened scoring with an RBI single. Royals slugger Jac Caglianone added a run with a double down the right-field line, off the glove of Brazil's Dante Bichette Jr. Dante Nori, aged 21 years and 151 days, hit two late homers, becoming the second-youngest player in WBC history for a multi-homer game. Dominic Canzone capped the win with a three-run homer into the second deck in right field, prompting celebrations with espresso in the dugout.
The victory improves Italy to 1-0 in Pool B, joining the U.S. and Mexico as early winners. They face those teams next in pool play, building on their 2023 quarterfinal appearance. Brazil falls to 0-2 after a loss to the U.S. on Friday, still seeking their first WBC win since debuting in 2013.
Aldegheri, ranked the Angels' No. 17 prospect by MLB Pipeline, hopes his performance inspires Italian youth. "For the kids, I feel like it just gives a lot of hope to them," he said. "Baseball is not really a thing in Italy. It's slowly growing. [I just want to] give them a lot of hope to see me here." He noted that playing for his country feels different from his MLB debut: "It's something that you can't really explain -- but you can feel it, feel all the support from back home. It's amazing."
