Paul Skenes came into Sunday night’s World Baseball Classic semifinal with a heavy burden in his bid to neutralize a Dominican Republic order so deep that reigning National League Cy Young winners usually look like batting practice pitchers.
He left the mound having done exactly that, but it was his post-game victory lap that truly captured the night’s intensity.
Shortly after the United States secured a 2-1 nail-biter at loanDepot park, Skenes took to his Instagram Story to deliver a clear message to his opponents.
He shared a celebration video soundtracked by Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American),” a choice widely viewed as a direct jab at a Dominican squad that had been the tournament’s vocal favorite.
The patriotic taunt capped off an evening where Skenes proved that his “Air Force” roots and competitive fire are a perfect match for the international stage.
Facing a “nuclear” lineup that included Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado, the 23-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates ace gutted through 4 1/3 innings, allowing only a single solo home run.
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa was struck by the composure Skenes showed while pitching in an environment that felt more like a soccer match than a standard spring training game.
“Special presence,” DeRosa noted of Skenes’ performance. “Special man. Wants the moment. Wasn’t too big for him. Controlled his emotions. Made pitches.”
From a “special presence” to a Championship showdown
Skenes’ ability to hold the Dominican Republic to just one run allowed the American bats to find their window.
While the U.S. offense has struggled for consistency throughout the 2026 Classic, fourth-inning solo homers from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony provided the slim margin necessary for the win.
Skenes finished his second tournament start with two strikeouts and no walks, leaving the game in the fifth inning to a standing ovation from the American contingent in Miami.
The victory marks the third consecutive time the United States has reached the World Baseball Classic championship game, keeping their hopes alive for a second title.
With the Dominican Republic now eliminated, the Americans shift their focus to the final, where they will face a Venezuela team that has looked nearly unstoppable since the opening round.
Venezuela reached the finale after a dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Italy, avenging the United States’ own pool-play loss to the Italians earlier in the month.
For Skenes and the American roster, the championship game represents a chance for total redemption after falling to Japan in the 2023 final.
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