Hot Streak Hits All-Time High: Venezuelan Wins First Pulitzer Trophy Over Italy in Thrilling MLB Clash!
Venezuela takes on Italy to determine who will face Team USA in the WBC championship game.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 14: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of Italy looks on from the dugout in the fourth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game against Puerto Rico at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images We’re just one game away from the finale of what’s been an unforgettable World Baseball Classic. Team USA punched their ticket to the Championship Game last night with a pitching masterclass to silence the potent Dominican Republic lineup, clinging on to a narrow 2-1 victory .
Relative tournament upstarts Venezuela and Italy face off tonight for the right to play the US on Tuesday in Miami and hoist the WBC trophy for the first time. Venezuela eliminated tournament favorites, defending champions, and three-time winners Japan on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani popping out to end the game. Italy meanwhile have been the story of the tournament — surprise winners of a Pool B that include the US — and undefeated thanks to espresso-fueled slugfests and led by captain Vinnie Pasquantino and his three-homer game against Mexico.
The question tonight is whether Aaron Nola will be able to hold down the star-studded Venezuela lineup. The former Phillies ace was brilliant in his lone start of the tournament — five scoreless innings allowing four hits and a walk with five strikeouts against Mexico in the final pool play game. However, Venezuela is another story entirely, led by former NL MVP and leadoff hitter Ronald Acuña Jr.
There are All-Stars up and down the batting order — the Royals’ Maikel Garcia at third, the Giants’ Luis Arraez at first, former and current Red Eugenio Suárez at DH, Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, Boston’s Wilyer Abreu in left, and the pair of Milwaukee stars William Contreras behind the plate and Jackson Chourio in center. If Nola can keep them in check, he’ll hand the ball over to an Italy bullpen featuring several former Yankees including Adam Ottavino, Greg Weissert, and Ron Marinaccio. How to watch Location : loanDepot park — Miami, FL First pitch : 8:00 pm ET TV broadcast : FS1 Radio broadcast : MLB.