USA vs. Italy World Baseball Classic: Starters, Lineups, How To Watch
#World Baseball Classic #Team USA #Italy #FOX #Nolan McLean #Aaron Judge #streaming
📌 Key Takeaways
- Team USA is undefeated with three wins in Pool B of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- The USA faces Italy in its final pool-play game on March 10 at 8 p.m. ET, airing on FOX.
- FOX and its family of networks provide exclusive coverage, with all 47 games available for streaming.
- Nolan McLean is tentatively scheduled to start for Team USA, with lineup changes possible as a quarterfinal spot is secured.
- Key performers for Team USA include Aaron Judge with two home runs and Roman Anthony leading in RBIs.
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🏷️ Themes
Sports Event, Broadcast Information
📚 Related People & Topics
World Baseball Classic
International baseball tournament
The World Baseball Classic (WBC), also referred to as the Classic, is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), the sport's global governing body, and organized by World Baseball Classic Inc., a partnership of the WBSC with Major League Base...
Italy
Country in Southern and Western Europe
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern and Western Europe. It consists of a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land border, as well as nearly 800 islands, notably Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares land borders with France to the...
Fox Broadcasting Company
American commercial broadcast television network
Fox Broadcasting Company, LLC (stylized in all caps as FOX) is an American commercial broadcast television network serving as the flagship namesake property of Fox Corporation and operated through Fox Entertainment. The channel was launched by News Corporation on October 9, 1986 as a competitor to t...
United States national team
List of sports-related pages with the same or similar names
# United States National Team The **United States national team**, commonly known as **Team USA**, refers to any of the various sports teams that represent the United States in international competitions. These teams are typically composed of U.S. citizens and represent the nation in events such as...
Nolan McLean
American baseball player (born 2001)
Nolan James McLean (born July 24, 2001) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This game matters because it determines Team USA's momentum heading into the knockout stage of a premier international baseball tournament. It affects baseball fans worldwide, MLB teams monitoring their players' performance, and the global growth of baseball as Team USA's star power draws significant viewership. The outcome influences seeding and confidence for the quarterfinals, with implications for national pride and the sport's international profile.
Context & Background
- The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is an international tournament first held in 2006, organized by MLB and the MLB Players Association to globalize baseball.
- Team USA won its first WBC title in 2017 after years of underperformance, defeating Puerto Rico in the final, and repeated as champions in 2023.
- Italy has historically been a mid-tier WBC team, often advancing from pool play but not reaching the semifinals, with a roster typically featuring MLB players of Italian descent.
- The 2026 WBC features an expanded format with more teams and games, building on the success of the 2023 tournament which set attendance and viewership records.
- Pool B in this edition includes the USA, Mexico, Great Britain, Brazil, and Italy, with the top teams advancing to the quarterfinals in Miami.
What Happens Next
After this pool finale, Team USA will advance to the quarterfinals in Miami, likely facing a top team from another pool around March 13-14. The tournament culminates with the championship game on Tuesday, March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami. Expect roster adjustments and strategic pitching decisions as teams prepare for single-elimination knockout rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Team USA is likely resting key pitchers for the knockout stage while giving McLean, a less experienced pitcher, valuable tournament exposure. This strategy preserves their ace starters for more critical elimination games ahead.
All 47 WBC games are available for streaming through the FOX Sports app, FOX One, and Tubi, which offer free and subscription-based viewing options without requiring traditional cable service.
A loss would not eliminate Team USA from the tournament since they've already secured a quarterfinal berth, but it could affect their seeding and momentum heading into the knockout stage.
Many MLB stars participate in the WBC to represent their countries, with MLB teams supporting their involvement as it provides competitive at-bats and helps grow the sport globally during spring training.
Italy qualifies through European regional tournaments and fields a roster primarily composed of MLB players with Italian heritage or dual citizenship, along with some professional players from European leagues.