Team USA advances to WBC final
Team USA beat the Dominican Republic 2–1 as Mason Miller struck out Perdomo for the final out — a finish that advanced the U.S. to the championship and sparked social‑media controversy over the final pitch. The win sends Team USA to face the Italy/Venezuela winner for the title. (x.com) (x.com) (x.com)
The semifinal was played March 15, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami with an announced attendance of 36,337. (espn.com) Paul Skenes opened for Team USA and worked 4.1 innings while allowing one earned run; Dominican starter Luis Severino went 3.1 innings and struck out six. (espn.com) The game's homers included Junior Caminero’s 401-foot shot for the Dominican Republic in the second inning and two U.S. homers in the fourth by G. Henderson (400 feet) and R. Anthony (421 feet). (espn.com) Plate umpire Cory Blaser ruled the decisive pitch a strike even though broadcast replays showed the slider below the zone, and Dominican shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said afterward it was “one-hundred-percent a ball.” (espn.com) Major League Baseball confirmed the automated ball‑strike (ABS) system was not in use for the WBC because some host ballparks did not have the technology to support it. (espn.com) The semifinal set a World Baseball Classic TV record with about 7.369 million viewers on FOX/FS1, and social platforms filled quickly with fans calling for ABS or “robot umpires” after the finish. (mlb.com (sportingnews.com)) Manager Mark DeRosa said he plans to start Nolan McLean in the championship on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and outlets reported that Mason Miller would be available out of the bullpen if needed. (espn.com (msn.com))
