Tonight, the semifinal match in the World Baseball Classic will reveal who Team USA will face in the championship. The contenders are either Venezuela or Italy, the latter of which the U.S. has already beaten in this tournament.
Venezuela achieved a stunning comeback victory over the defending champions, Samurai Japan, winning 8-5. Ronald Acuña Jr. kicked things off with a leadoff home run, and a pivotal three-run homer by Willier Abreu in the sixth inning helped secure the lead.
Italy also made it through the quarterfinals, overcoming Puerto Rico in a close game that ended 8-6. Although they were not able to hit any home runs, they managed to capitalize on their chances after allowing four runs in the second inning.
Following their victory, Italy’s coach, Francisco Cervelli, expressed growing confidence in the team’s abilities, stating, “We have to stay humble, stay focused and do what we know. That’s it. Play our game.”
- Teams: Italy vs Venezuela
- Date: March 16th 8pm ET
- Location: Lawn Depot Park, Miami, Florida
- Channel: FS1
The winner of this crucial match will advance to the finals on Tuesday to compete against the United States.
WBC 2026: Italy vs Venezuela Start Time
The semifinal game is set to kick off at 8:00 PM ET tonight, March 16.
How to Watch Italy vs Venezuela for Free
If you’re cable-free, you can stream the game live. One option is to try DIRECTV, which offers a 5-day free trial that includes FS1. After the trial, you can continue with over 90 live channels for a starting price of $59.99 per month.
Sling TV also provides a budget-friendly alternative, with plans beginning at $19.99 per month that include FS1.
Pitchers for Italy vs Venezuela
Kayder Montero will pitch for Venezuela, while Italy’s Aaron Nola takes the mound.
Main Dates for World Baseball Classic 2026
- SF 2: Italy vs. Venezuela – March 16th at 8pm ET (FS1)
- Championship: USA vs. TBD – March 17th at 8pm ET (FOX)
