Overview
- Venezuela earned its spot with a 4-2 semifinal win over Italy, erupting for three runs in the seventh on hits by Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez, with Daniel Palencia closing it out.
- Team USA advanced by edging the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a semifinal defined by pitching and defense, with solo homers from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony providing the offense.
- Paul Skenes delivered 4.1 innings for the U.S. before a scoreless bullpen bridge to closer Mason Miller, whose game-ending strikeout of Geraldo Perdomo drew complaints in a tournament without ABS review.
- The championship is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET in Miami, with ESPN noting rookie Nolan McLean is lined up to start for the United States under WBC pitch-count restrictions.
- U.S. hitters have slumped heading into the final, striking out frequently and struggling with runners in scoring position, heightening the importance of bullpen depth and late-game execution.