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2w ago

WBC Opens With U.S. Rout and 2-0 Japan as Brazil’s Young Standouts Impress

Pitch limits plus MLB spring priorities are dictating careful early workloads for aces, including a one‑start plan for Tarik Skubal.

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Meet 17-Year-Old Joseph Contreras, Who Got Aaron Judge to Ground Into a Double Play
Mar 7, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Netherlands players celebrate a walk-off three-run home run by second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) against Nicaragua during the ninth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Team USA began pool play with a 15-5 win over Brazil in Houston, highlighted by Aaron Judge’s first-inning two-run homer and 17 U.S. walks.
  • Brazil’s youth broke through on the big stage: 20-year-old Lucas Ramirez homered twice to become the youngest player with a multi-homer game in WBC history, and 17-year-old Joseph Contreras induced an inning-ending double play from Judge.
  • Defending champion Japan moved to 2-0 with an 8-6 win over South Korea in Tokyo as Seiya Suzuki hit two home runs and Shohei Ohtani also went deep; Japan meets fellow 2-0 Australia next.
  • Team USA faces Great Britain at 8 p.m. ET, with Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal making his only WBC start before returning to Tigers camp under a predetermined usage plan.
  • Mets left-hander Sean Manaea reported he is 100 percent healthy and has started spring work after an injury-marred 2025 season that limited him to 15 games and a 5.64 ERA.