Thanks to Italy, Team USA has avoided an embarrassing first-round elimination in the World Baseball Classic. Italy's win over Mexico Wednesday night at Daikin Park in Houston (ITA 9, MEX 1) punched the team's ticket and also USA's ticket to the quarterfinals.

Bill Plaschke used to ignore the World Baseball Classic, but he has been wowed by the dramatic tournament that feels bigger than the World Series.

FORT MYERS, FLA. – Joe Ryan threw a 23-pitch bullpen session March 14, which he said felt great, but he is no longer expected to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Ryan was in the designated pitcher pool for Team USA,

Paul Skenes will take center stage in a colossal World Baseball Classic semifinal showdown. Team USA advanced past the quarterfinals with a 5-3 victory over Canada on Friday. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic remained undefeated with a dominant 10-0 win over Korea.

We all remember the epic championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic when Shohei Ohtani struck out Team USA slugger Mike Trout to give Team Japan its third title in five editions of the tournament.