Team USA Reaches Third Straight World Baseball Classic Final

The United States is one win away from claiming its second World Baseball Classic title after edging the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a nail-biting semifinal Sunday in Miami.

Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each launched solo home runs to power the American offense. But the real story was on the mound, where NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and the U.S. bullpen shut down one of the most feared lineups in international baseball.

The Dominicans brought six players who finished top 10 in MVP voting last year and had cruised through earlier rounds. They faced their toughest challenge against Skenes, who allowed just one run over 4 1/3 innings before the bullpen sealed the deal.

The drama peaked in the ninth inning when the Dominican Republic put a runner on third with two outs. Closer Mason Miller struck out Geraldo Perdomo to end the threat and secure his second save of the tournament.

Defense provided the game's most memorable moments. Yankees star Aaron Judge fired a laser throw from right field to nail Fernando Tatis Jr. at third base in the third inning.

Two innings later, Julio Rodríguez returned the favor. Despite taking a 98 mph fastball to the wrist earlier, Rodríguez climbed the center field wall to rob Judge of a home run.

Why This Inspires

This game showcased international baseball at its absolute best. Two nations brought their top talent and delivered edge-of-your-seat action that proved pitching and defense still win championships.

The Americans, featuring stars like Bryce Harper and Aaron Judge alongside Skenes, reached their third consecutive WBC title game after winning in 2017 and finishing runner-up to Japan in 2023. The Dominicans, meanwhile, made their first semifinal appearance since winning the whole tournament in 2013.

Team USA will face either Italy or Venezuela in Tuesday's championship game. After two home runs were enough to advance Sunday, the Americans proved they can win any style of game when the stakes are highest.