The World Baseball Classic final was a true pitching battle between Venezuela and the United States. Neither side’s offensive power showed up as expected, as both lineups struggled to generate consistent production.
Pitchers dominated throughout the game, neutralizing most hitters and controlling the tempo from the mound. Although there were a few impressive defensive plays, something was missing in terms of the kind of hits that would have lifted fans out of their seats.
Pitching ultimately defined the championship game, and in the end, it resulted in a victory for the South Americans over the United States. Despite facing heavy criticism in earlier rounds, Venezuela managed to regroup and reach the showdown, where they delivered when it mattered most.
Criticism did not stop for Mark DeRosa
The game became evenly matched after Venezuela had built a two-run lead. Bryce Harper then delivered a home run that tied the game, effectively resetting everything and turning it into a brand-new contest heading into the late innings.
With that in mind and approaching the ninth inning, heavily scrutinized manager Mark DeRosa made a controversial decision: he left his best closer, Mason Miller, in the dugout. That choice ultimately proved costly.
Instead, Garrett Whitlock took the mound and surrendered the decisive hit, a double that secured the victory for Venezuela. DeRosa later defended his decision when addressing the media.
Honoring the Padres.”…”Had we taken the lead, he was coming in, but I wasn’t going to bring him in to a tie game.
Although DeRosa did not explicitly state that the Padres had asked him not to use Miller, it was implied that the pitcher had been placed on certain limitations. What is now clear is that the United States was unable to close out the game on the night of Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
I’d like to avoid him, but the score will dictate it.”…”Yes, he’s available.
DeRosa said pregame.
For Miller, the tournament was brief, as he appeared in only four games, totaling four innings pitched. His last outing came against the Dominican Republic, which is why many expected him to be available for the final. Instead, fans were left disappointed by his absence
Everything suggests that the Padres’ management may have requested restrictions on his usage, and while there is no certainty, that situation may have contributed to the loss. Now, the team is left to deal with the frustration of defeat and look ahead, hoping to return stronger in the next edition of the tournament, whether it takes place in three or four years.
Read the full article here
