Team USA Rolls to 3-0 After Skenes, Judge Dismantle Mexico at WBC 2026
Pool play enters its final stretch with the Americans in command, a loaded bracket taking shape, and Tuesday night's USA vs. Italy clash still to come.
Skenes and Judge Make History in Houston
The United States finally silenced two decades of frustration Monday night, beating Mexico 5-3 at Daikin Park in Houston to remain perfect through three World Baseball Classic games. It was the first American victory over Mexico in WBC play since 2006.
Paul Skenes — reigning NL Cy Young winner — hit 99.7 mph in his WBC debut, striking out seven over four scoreless innings. Mexico mustered just a ground ball double and a walk against him, missing 15 of 31 swings for a 48% whiff rate. That's not a starter number. That's a closer number.
Aaron Judge opened the scoring with a home run, his second of the Classic. He's now 4-for-12 with two homers and five RBI in the tournament. He also made a key outfield assist to snuff an early Mexico rally — a reminder that his value runs deeper than the box score.
Roman Anthony's three-run blast in the fifth gave the Americans a 5-0 lead, enough cushion to survive a late push from a Mexico lineup that refused to quit. Jarren Duran went 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI for Mexico, giving the crowd at Daikin Park something to cheer — but it wasn't enough.
Mexico manager Benji Gil made no secret of where he wants this to end: "I hope we play the U.S. again. That would be awesome. I desire that more than anything in the world. Face them again in Miami."
Where Every Pool Stands Right Now
The current standings entering Tuesday: USA (3-0) and Italy (2-0) lead Pool B. Puerto Rico (3-0) leads Pool A. Japan (4-0) and Korea (2-2) have already clinched from Pool C. The Dominican Republic (3-0) and Venezuela (3-0) have locked up Pool D.
Italy is unbeaten at 2-0 and faces Team USA on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on FS1. Mexico, now at 2-1, must beat Italy on Wednesday to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive. Two of those three teams advance. One goes home.
In Pool C, Shohei Ohtani is not in the starting lineup for Japan's final pool game against Czechia on Tuesday morning. Japan is already in. Ohtani is being rested.
The Bracket and Road to Miami
The quarterfinals are split between Houston and Miami on March 13 and 14. If the U.S. makes it, their quarterfinal game will be played March 13 regardless of their pool finish. If Japan advances, their bracket game falls on March 14. Semifinals and the championship both go down at loanDepot Park in Miami.
The championship game is March 17 at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. After pool play, the entire tournament is single-elimination.
How to Watch, Where to Stream
All 47 WBC games air on Fox and affiliated networks — Fox, FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes, and Tubi — and can be streamed via fubo. Tuesday's USA-Italy matchup is on FS1 at 9 p.m. ET.
The tournament also carries Olympic stakes: the top two Americas-zone finishers will qualify for the 2028 Olympic baseball tournament in Los Angeles, alongside host nation USA.
Paul Skenes said after Monday's win: "I think it would be hard to find another atmosphere like that outside of a tournament like this. It just doesn't happen in the regular season. That was cool to be a part of."
