Team USA no longer controls their own destiny to advance. Check out what they need going into a crucial Italy/Mexico showdown on Wednesday night.

One side of the bracket features two heavyweights in the Dominican Republic and Team USA, star-studded squads that charted very different paths to the penultimate round. The D.R. steamrollered most of its five opponents, while the Americans have looked only on occasion like the powerhouse they are on paper.

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.