Follow live: Venezuela pads lead over Team USA with solo HR

March 18, 2026 No Comments

2026 WBC championship: USA-Venezuela live updates, analysisESPNMultiple AuthorsMar 17, 2026, 09:25 PM ET

It all comes down to this: two baseball teams battling on the international stage with a chance to win a title for their country.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic culminates in the championship game between the United States and Venezuela. Team USA, after narrowly making it out of pool play, took down a powerhouse Dominican Republic team in Sunday’s semifinal to advance to its third consecutive WBC final. Venezuela beat Italy with a seventh-inning rally Monday in the second semifinal to secure its spot in the tournament’s grand finale.

Will the U.S. avenge its 2023 loss to Japan and take home this year’s trophy? Or will Venezuela put a bow on its surprising run with a win?

We’re posting live updates and analysis as the game continues — and our takeaways after the final pitch.

Play ball!