Eduardo Rodríguez's Bat Sores His Team 7-0 in WBCC Semifinal!
Mar 11, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (52) reacts against the Dominican Republic during the second inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images MIAMI — As the lone Arizona Diamondbacks representative remaining in the tournament, left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez will take the mound for Team Venezuela against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final. Mar 11, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (52) delivers a pitch against the Dominican Republic during the first inning at loanDepot Park.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images It marks the first time the two teams will meet in the championship game in the tournament’s history. The assignment highlights Rodríguez’s experience and the trust Venezuela has placed in him to deliver in a high-pressure environment, with a strong connection to Arizona following closely behind. Rodríguez’s path through the WBC has been uneven.
In his last outing against the Dominican Republic, he allowed three earned runs in 2. 2 innings, surrendering multiple home runs despite recording five strikeouts. This performance showed that while Rodríguez still can generate swings and misses, he faces a significant challenge against a Team USA lineup filled with All-Stars and MVP-caliber talent.
Still, Venezuela’s decision to hand him the ball in the final speaks to their confidence in his ability and the direction they want to take. Mar 11, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Venezuela pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (52) returns to the dugout against the Dominican Republic during the second inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images With more than a decade of MLB experience, including nearly 30 starts for Arizona in 2025, Rodríguez has faced many of these hitters before.
Inconsistency has been a concern during his time in the desert, reflected in his 5. 02 ERA last season. However, those numbers don’t fully capture his upside — particularly in stretches where he has been dominant, such as his strikeout-heavy outing against a powerful Dominican lineup.