Jeff PassanMar 11, 2026, 10:18 PM ETMultiple Authors
HOUSTON — Team USA advanced out of pool play in the World Baseball Classic and will face Canada in the quarterfinals Friday, averting a disastrous flameout thanks to Italy’s 9-1 victory against Mexico on Wednesday night.
“You’re welcome, USA,” Pasquantino said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports after the game. “We were thinking of you guys, over at your hotel. We were thinking of you guys, so I’m glad you guys could join us in the party.”
In front of a decidedly pro-Mexico crowd of 39,894 at Daikin Park, Italy continued its unblemished run through the tournament and set up a date with Puerto Rico here Saturday night for a berth in the semifinals.
In the case of a three-way tie, the two teams that allowed the fewest runs per out recorded would move on — and Italy putting up five runs in the first five innings would have meant the game would need to go well into extra innings to bring the run ratios of both teams below that of the U.S.
Italy tacked on one more run and celebrated as Team USA breathed a sigh of relief, still alive in a tournament it entered with more talent than any of its previous WBC incarnations. The Americans are expected to start San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb in the quarterfinals, and Canada plans to counter with Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka.
Canada clinched its spot in the quarterfinals with back-to-back wins against Puerto Rico and Cuba to ascend to the top of Pool A.
Jeff PassanMar 11, 2026, 10:18 PM ETMultiple Authors
Pasquantino’s 3 homers help Italy and the U.S. advance to WBC quarters (0:56)Vinnie Pasquantino hits three home runs as Italy eliminates Mexico and sends the United States into the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. (0:56)