Overview
- Friday’s single-elimination slate features Dominican Republic vs. South Korea in Miami and United States vs. Canada in Houston, with Puerto Rico vs. Italy and Japan vs. Venezuela set for Saturday before semifinals Sunday and Monday in Miami and the championship Tuesday.
- Team USA starts Logan Webb against Canada’s Michael Soroka, with quarterfinal pitch limits raised to 80 pitches to allow starters more length.
- The Americans advanced as a 3-1 pool runner-up after Italy beat Mexico and enter the Canada matchup as a heavy favorite according to major sportsbooks.
- Canada is in the quarterfinals for the first time after winning its pool and could again deploy James Paxton in relief following his 49-pitch outing that preserved next-day eligibility.
- Olympic stakes are in play for regional contenders, as the two highest-placing teams from the Americas excluding host USA will secure LA28 berths, while Cuba has already been eliminated from qualification.