USA vs. Mexico WBC Live: Paul Skenes Dominates Early, Team USA Leads 5-0 in Fifth Inning
The most anticipated game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway Monday night at Daikin Park in Houston. Team USA leads Mexico 5-0 in the fifth inning with Paul Skenes dealing and the youngest player on the American roster already going deep in a winner-take-all Pool B showdown.
USA vs. Mexico WBC Live Score: USA 5, Mexico 0 — Fifth Inning
Team USA leads Mexico 5-0 in the fifth inning. The Americans have pounded out seven hits and two home runs to Mexico's just one hit through five innings. Paul Skenes is in top form in his first World Baseball Classic outing, with Team USA's starting shortstop also making a diving grab and throw to nail Alejandro Kirk for the second out of the fourth inning.
The youngest member of Team USA drove the dagger in early, launching a three-run blast to put the Americans up 5-0 — a moment that sent the Daikin Park crowd into a frenzy and immediately shifted the energy inside the building away from Mexico's boisterous fan contingent.
Paul Skenes Is Dealing: NL Cy Young Winner in Full Command
The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner appears to be in top form in his first WBC outing. Skenes and fellow Air Force connections Griffin Jax arranged for Air Force cadets to attend tonight's game — a detail that added a layer of national pride to an already emotionally charged evening.
Mexico countered with right-hander Manny Barreda, but the American bats jumped on him early and have not let up through five innings of play.
What's at Stake: Pool B Supremacy and Quarterfinal Seeding
Whichever team wins tonight will be 3-0 with one game remaining in pool play — putting the winner in full control of Pool B and making that team the favorite to finish as the top seed. Losing would not eliminate either team, as both would still hold a 2-1 record and could advance with a win over Italy in their pool play finale.
Mexico holds a 3-1 all-time WBC advantage over Team USA entering tonight — with their most recent meeting in 2023 resulting in an 11-5 Mexico romp in Phoenix led by Joey Meneses and Randy Arozarena. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said he has not forgotten that loss.
Full WBC Tuesday Schedule: USA vs. Italy at 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1
Tuesday, March 10 schedule: Japan vs. Czechia at 6:00 a.m. ET on FS1, Netherlands vs. Israel at 7:00 p.m. ET, Canada vs. Puerto Rico at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tubi, and Italy vs. United States at 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
Wednesday brings Italy vs. Mexico at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tubi — a game that now becomes a potential head-to-head matchup to advance out of Pool B depending on tonight's USA-Mexico result. The WBC Championship Game is set for Tuesday, March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami.
