The wait is over. On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, loanDepot Park in Miami will be the epicenter of the baseball universe when the United States and Venezuela meet in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Final.
After a tournament full of surprises, where powerhouses such as Japan and the Dominican Republic were left by the wayside, the two best teams in the tournament will meet in the final with rosters full of MLB stars and an entire nation behind them.
Schedule and broadcast channels
Here’s everything you need to know so you don’t miss a thing:
- Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET (USA / Venezuela) / 6:00 p.m. (Mexico).
- Television (USA): FOX (National Network).
- Streaming: Fox Sports App, ViX and Disney+.
Pitching duel: The starters for the final
Both managers have appointed their trusted arms to start the most important match of their international careers:
Nolan McLean (RHP, New York Mets). The Mets’ young wonder gets the ball after a solid performance in the opening round. His fastball that touches 100 mph will be the main weapon to stop the Venezuelan artillery.
Venezuela Eduardo Rodriguez (LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks). The experienced left-hander will look to neutralize the powerful right-handed hitters of the U.S. with his excellent command and changeup.
Key players and rosters
United States
The team led by Mark DeRosa comes into the game after a thrilling 2-1 semifinal win over the Dominican Republic.
- Aaron Judge: The captain has awakened in the knockout stage and is the biggest power threat.
- Gunnar Henderson: He comes off a vital home run in the semifinal and his defense at shortstop will be key.
- Mason Miller: The closer with the fastest fastball in the world is ready for the last three outs.
Venezuela
The “Vinotinto” advanced after a spectacular comeback from 4-2 down against Italy, driven by a rally in the seventh inning.
- Ronald Acuña Jr.: The soul of the team. His aggressiveness on the bases and his ability to hit extra bases put constant pressure.
- Luis Arraez: “The Sprinkler” is still on fire; his mission is to get on base so that the power men can drive him in.
- Jackson Chourio: The young phenomenon has shown that the stage is not too big for him, being key in the victory against Italy.
Statistics and Predictions
The United States is looking for its third consecutive final and its second title overall (it won in 2017). For Venezuela, this is its first appearance in a WBC final, surpassing its best ever performance (semifinals in 2009). It is worth remembering that Venezuela eliminated the defending champion, Japan, in the quarterfinals, which gives them an unbeatable morale boost.
Our prediction is a close game. The odds slightly favor the United States (-140) due to the depth of its bullpen, but Venezuela (+120) has proven to be the most resilient team in the tournament. It is expected to be a low-scoring duel defined by an error or a timely hit in the final innings.
Tonight’s winner will not only take home the crystal trophy, but also the honor of being the new monarch of world baseball. Will the Stars and Stripes hierarchy be able to stop the momentum of the Venezuelan “Samba”?
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