The World Baseball Classic has delivered epic moments and October-like drama in the middle of March. From stunning upsets to unforgettable home run celebrations, Major League Baseball and the sport as a whole have knocked it out of the park with this international tournament.
Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu added another highlight on Saturday night. Facing defending champion Japan in the WBC quarterfinals, Abreu crushed a 409-foot, three-run homer off Japan’s Hiromi Itohon a 2–1 pitch in the sixth inning, giving Venezuela a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Abreu admired the ball for a moment as it sailed into the Miami night, then turned toward the Venezuelan dugout before erupting with emotion as he began his trot around the bases.
“The feeling is something incredible,” Abreu said after the game. “It’s something unimaginable. It’s very difficult to describe because it was a unique moment — one of the best moments of my life.”
Abreu is 5-for-17 (.294) with a .381 on-base percentage and six RBIs in five WBC games.
That kind of clutch power is exactly what Red Sox fans hope to see from Abreu in 2026. Boston is expected to move away from platooning the outfielder and give him more everyday opportunities against both right-handed and left-handed pitching.
WILYER ABREU THREE-RUN HOME RUN TEAM VENEZUELA TAKES THE LEAD 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/9ovv3fluF6— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 15, 2026
“We need to have Wilyer figure out lefties. We’re going to push him to do that, and I truly believe he can,” manager Alex Corasaid in January.
While Saturday’s homer came against a right-hander, the display of power is an encouraging sign as the Red Sox look for Abreu to take a step forward this season. Over the past two years, he has largely been used as a platoon player.
Abreu enters his third full season in the majors, having already proven he can handle a large share of a platoon role. He owns a career 115 wRC+, including a 125 wRC+ against right-handed pitching. In 2025, however, he posted an 85 wRC+ against lefties with a notable .110 drop in slugging in those matchups.
Abreu hit 22 home runs for Boston last season, up from 15 the year before. Injuries have been an issue for the two-time Gold Glove winner, including a calf strain that sidelined him for a stretch last season. Over a full 162-game pace, he was tracking toward roughly 30 homers, which is an encouraging sign. The Red Sox need another true power bat in the lineup, and they may already have one in-house, developing over the last couple of seasons.
Abreu’s homer helped seal Venezuela’s biggest World Baseball Classic win since the tournament began in 2006. It was also one of the most crushing losses for Japan, which suffered its earliest elimination in tournament history after falling 8–5. The defeat also led to the resignation of Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata, who stepped down from his position shortly after the loss.
It's easy for some fans to find faults with the World Baseball Classic, especially when teams like the Red Sox have several key players representing their countries. Others argue that the timing of the tournament, just weeks before the start of the regular season, can be problematic. Injuries suffered during the WBC can have real consequences for players and their clubs heading into the year.
Former Mets closer Edwin Díaz is the most famous example. He suffered a freak injury during the 2023 WBC, tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic and missing the entire MLB season.
But moments like Abreu’s home run on Saturday night show why the tournament means so much to international players. Abreu crushed a 409-foot, three-run homer in the sixth inning to give Venezuela the lead in an eventual 8–5 upset of defending champion Japan, sending the Venezuelan dugout and crowd into a frenzy.
Watching Abreu celebrate the moment with that kind of emotion makes you wonder if some players feel the same intensity winning the WBC as they do winning the World Series. The pride of representing their home country clearly carries enormous weight.
Regardless of that debate, Abreu’s swing could provide some real momentum heading into the 2026 season, especially if Venezuela continues its run and captures the World Baseball Classic title.
U.S. and Dominican Republic to do Battle in WBC Semifinal
The United States and the Dominican Republic will square off in the World Baseball Classic on Sunday for the first time since 2017, with a spot in the championship game and plenty of baseball bragging rights on the line.
Team USA has looked strong throughout the tournament aside from its upset loss to Italy earlier in pool play. Both nations have won the WBC twice, and a victory Sunday would give either side a chance to claim a record third title.
Pirates ace Paul Skeneswill take the ball for the United States, and the reigning National League Cy Young winner will have his hands full with a loaded Dominican lineup. The Dominican Republic has hit 14 home runs and scored 51 runs through its first five games of the tournament.
If the U.S. hopes to punch its ticket to the finals, Skenes — and the bullpen behind him — will need to navigate a star-studded lineup featuring Fernando Tatis Jr., Ketel Marte, Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Junior Caminero and Julio Rodríguez.
Paul Skenes was nasty in his WBC debut: 4 IP • 0 ER • 7 K • 1 H • 1 BB • 60 Pitches pic.twitter.com/t2xry3a2X8— Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique) March 10, 2026
The American lineup has yet to truly display its power this tournament and will get a chance to flex its muscles against D.R. starter Luis Severino.
Skenes will likely be the best pitcher the Dominican Republic has faced in the tournament. His overpowering fastball, which reached 97.4 mph in his last outing against Mexico presents a far different challenge than the softer-throwing left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu, whom the Dominican lineup faced earlier in the tournament.
The U.S. and Dominican Republic play their game on Sunday night at 8 p.m. The winner of Monday’s Venezuela-Italy semifinal will face the winner of the United States-Dominican Republic semifinal.
“I know the fans definitely love [the Dominican flair], but I try not to look at what other teams are doing, what other people are doing,” Aaron Judge, captain of Team USA told reporters Friday night. “I’ll focus on what we got here. We got a special group of guys that love to play this game. They’re excited to be in this room. I know how they’re all honored to be in this room. They’re not taking it for granted.
“So it’s exciting seeing what the D.R. is doing, and it’s been fun watching those games and seeing what’s going on. I think everybody in [the clubhouse] is excited to get there and be a part of it.”
Red Sox Notes
Jarren Duranhas returned to the Red Sox following Mexico’s elimination from the World Baseball Classic. Duran was one of Mexico’s most productive hitters in the tournament, going 5-for-15 with three home runs, five RBI, and two stolen bases in four games.
Trevor Storyhas now been out of the Red Sox lineup for three straight Grapefruit League games. Boston has reportedly been monitoring Story’s workload this spring in an effort to keep him fresh for Opening Day.
Story has appeared in 10 exhibition games this spring and is hitting .400 (12-for-30) with two triples, four doubles, and two RBI. The veteran rebounded last season after an injury-plagued start to his Red Sox tenure. Boston has been giving Isiah Kiner-Falefareps at shortstop to allow Story additional rest, and once the regular season begins, Kiner-Falefa is expected to serve as his primary backup.
Marcelo Mayerwas scratched from Sunday afternoon’s game due to left knee soreness. It’s unclear whether the infielder will miss additional time. The 23-year-old has a strong chance to break camp as the club’s primary second baseman, particularly against right-handed pitchers after posting an .816 OPS while playing solid defense in eight Grapefruit League games.
Boston also scratched ace Garrett Crochetfrom his scheduled start Sunday, though the move was not injury-related. Crochet will instead throw roughly 75 pitches in a minor league game Monday in Fort Myers as the Red Sox align his schedule to be on regular rest for Opening Day against the Reds.
Sonny Grayis scheduled to pitch Monday against the Orioles and is expected to be Boston’s No. 2 starter when the club opens the season in Cincinnati.
Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slatenboth pitched in a minor league game Saturday and could see work Sunday against the Twins. Chapman struck out the first batter he faced, walked the second on four pitches before picking him off, and then struck out the third hitter on three pitches. He threw 14 pitches, eight for strikes. Slaten recorded a groundout and two strikeouts while also throwing 14 pitches, eight for strikes.
When the regular season opens in Cincinnati, the Red Sox are expected to face left-handers Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo, along with right-hander Brady Singer. Boston is expected to decide soon whether Brayan Bello or Ranger Suárezwill start the third game of the series.
The Red Sox have not discussed a contract extension with Connelly Early, according to MassLive. Early, who is represented by Excel Sports Management, typically does not pursue long-term extensions.
Buzz Around the League
Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols could further boost his résumé with a World Baseball Classic title, potentially putting himself on the radar for a big league managerial job. Pujols was linked to openings with the Angels, Padres and Orioles this past winter. Contract talks with Los Angeles had reportedly broken down, and they hired Kurt Suzuki, and he has remained with the Dominican program.
Dodgers left-hander Blake Snellhas finally reported to camp and recently threw a bullpen session to test his lingering left shoulder discomfort. Snell could be sidelined until late April as he ramps up and effectively completes a spring training program in the minors.
The Dodgers remain confident that Shohei Ohtani will be ready to pitch at the start of the 2026 season.
Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd will get the ball on Opening Day for Chicago. It will be his first Opening Day start since 2021, when he took the mound for the Tigers.
White Sox right-hander Mike Vasilexited Saturday’s spring outing with elbow soreness and is expected to undergo additional testing.
Angels shortstop Zach Netoinjured his left hand on a head-first slide into home during Sunday’s game against the Mariners and was scheduled to undergo testing afterward. Neto ended the 2025 season on the injured list with a left-hand strain and previously underwent shoulder surgery in 2024 after another head-first slide.
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler threw a live batting practice session Sunday, marking his first time facing hitters since undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in September. Manager Rob Thomsonsaid Wheeler is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday.
Reds right-hander Chase Burns threw just 24 pitches in Friday’s spring outing, a significant drop from the 68 he tossed in his previous appearance. Manager Terry Franconasaid the shorter outing was intentional after Burns experienced limited range of motion in his throwing arm earlier in the week. “We’re nipping this in the bud right now,” Francona said.
Brewers starter Quinn Priester is dealing with a nerve issue in his shoulder. Manager Pat Murphy told reporters the injury falls within the “thoracic outlet syndrome family.”
