Team USA faces Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Friday night at Daikin Park in Houston. The Americans, who advanced after a loss to Italy, will start Logan Webb against Canada's Michael Soroka. The winner advances to the semifinals in Miami.
The quarterfinal matchup between Team USA and Canada marks the start of single-elimination play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on March 13 at Daikin Park in Houston, the game will be broadcast on Fox and streamed on fubo. Team USA, managed by Mark DeRosa, backed into the second round after Italy's 9-1 win over Mexico, which featured Kansas City Royals captain Vinnie Pasquantino hitting three home runs—the first such game in WBC history. DeRosa described the situation as a "new lease on life for the boys" and called Canada a "scrappy bunch" that is "swinging the bats."
Canada, under manager Ernie Whitt, reached the quarterfinals for the first time by defeating Cuba 7-2 in a win-or-go-home pool play game. The team went 3-1 in Pool A in San Juan, improving its all-time WBC record to 8-11. Whitt emphasized playing "clean" with "passion and pride." Key Canadian contributors include Owen Cassie (.500 average, one homer, five RBI) and Abraham Toro (.467 average, one homer, five RBI). Pitcher Cal Quantrill stated, "We're not here for a participation ribbon. We're here to compete and play ball and win against the best countries in the world."
Team USA has reconfigured its roster, adding relievers Tim Hill (Yankees), Tyler Rogers (Blue Jays), and Will Vest (Tigers) while dropping Tarik Skubal, Michael Wacha, and Ryan Yarbrough. The lineup features Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop, Bryce Harper at first base, Aaron Judge in right field, Kyle Schwarber as designated hitter, Alex Bregman at third base, Roman Anthony in left field, Cal Raleigh catching, Brice Turang at second base, and Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. Harper, Bregman, and Raleigh return after sitting out the loss to Italy.
Historically, Canada upset Team USA 8-6 in the 2006 WBC, but the Americans have won the four subsequent meetings by a combined 35-10 score. Pitch limits increase to 80 for quarterfinals from 65 in pool play, allowing starters like Webb and Soroka to go deeper. Veteran James Paxton, who came out of retirement for Canada, is eligible from the bullpen after a strong relief outing against Cuba, striking out six in 2 2/3 shutout innings with a fastball up to 97.1 mph. Odds list Team USA as a 4.5-run favorite with an over/under of 9.5 runs.
