USA vs. Italy live score, updates, highlights from 2026 World Baseball Classic game

By | March 10, 2026
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Fresh off an emotional, high-stakes win over Mexico, Team USA returns to the diamond at Daikin Park on Tuesday night to close out Pool B play against a surging Italy squad.

With a potential top seed in the quarterfinals on the line, the 3-0 Americans will look to maintain their momentum in Houston and stifle an Italian roster that has already proven to be one of the tournament’s most dangerous spoilers. 

STREAM: Watch USA vs. Italy live with Fubo (free trial)

The matchup features a fascinating clash of styles as Mark DeRosa’s star-studded lineup, anchored by captain Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., faces an undefeated Italy team fueled by standout performances from Vinnie Pasquantino and a pitching staff that has consistently overperformed expectations. For the United States, the focus remains on defensive precision and early run support to ensure their path to Miami stays clear of any late-round drama.

First pitch is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on FS1, as Houston prepares for one last night of electric atmosphere before the World Baseball Classic shifts into its knockout phase.

The Sporting News is following all the action from Team USA’s final group stage game in the WBC. Check out all the updates below.

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC HQ: Live scores | Updated standings | Full TV schedule

USA vs. Italy baseball score

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 F
Italy 0 3 0 2 0 3 0     8
USA 0 0 0 0 0 1 3     4

USA vs. Italy live updates, highlights from 2026 World Baseball Classic game

11:36 p.m.: The bases are loaded for Team Italy after Bednar hits Antonacci in the foot.

There’s one out. If Team USA wants a chance, it needs to hold here.

11:32 p.m.: With David Bednar on the mound, backup catcher J.J. D’Orazio lines a single through the shortstop gap. The next pitch Caglianone hits a single the other way, and Italy has runners on the corners with two outs.

End of the seventh inning: Italy 8, United States 4

11:26 p.m.: Witt Jr. flies out to right, ending the seventh inning. But, the U.S. has cut the Italy lead to 8-4.

There are two more innings to score four more runs. Can the U.S. pull off a comeback?

Italy 8, United States 4

11:25 p.m.: Team USA is not done yet. It has cut the lead in half, courtesy of PCA.

The Cubs superstar swings at a low pitch and hits an absolute moonshot, much to the delight of the crowd. It’s a three-run homer, his first ever at the World Baseball Classic.

More importantly, it cuts the Italy lead to four.

11:22 p.m.: Brice Turang came in to pinch hit for Clement, and he lines a double that hits the right field wall. It gets Goldschmidt to third.

Now, Crow-Armstrong comes up with runners on second and third with two outs.

11:19 p.m.: That was a chance for Team USA to get someone in scoring position, with Roman Anthony driving a ball all the way out to left-center. But, two Italians converge and Marsee is able to make a catch.

Paul Goldschmidt hits a single, so the U.S. does get a runner on.

11:12 p.m.: We go to the bottom of the seventh, with Gabe Speier of the Mariners getting through the second.

Team USA needs some runs fast.

End of the sixth inning: Italy 8, United States 1

11:05 p.m.: The U.S. got one, but it needs a lot more. Though, it will need to be in the final third of the game.

Joe La Sorsa comes in and gets Schwarber to strike out on three pitches, and we’re through six.

Italy 8, United States 1

11:00 p.m.: The U.S. is on the board.

It’s Henderson, who gets a hold of a solo shot that goes well over the right-center field wall. More importantly, it gives the U.S a run, but the team still trails by seven.

Italy 8, United States 0

10:53 p.m.: Daikon Park is shocked.

On Keller’s pitch, the ball hits the dirt and bounces back, and Antonacci at third is able to get to home and slide. He’s safe, and the U.S. is in big trouble.

The top of the sixth ends, but not before it’s 8-0.

Italy 7, United States 0

10:51 p.m.: It’s 7-0 Italy.

Nori flies out deep to right field, but it’s deep enough for Caglianone to get home.

Italy is up on the United States by seven. Yes, you read that right.

Italy 6, United States 0

10:50 p.m.: It’s getting worse and worse for the Americans.

Keller gets Antonacci to ground the ball right back to him for what looks like an easy double play. But, his throw is low and past Witt Jr., and a runner comes in to score. It’s an error that gives Italy a run and now, it has runners on second and third.

10:49 p.m.: Italy now has a runner on first and second with one out. There, it was Caglianone who draws the fourth walk of the game for the Italians.

Now up is Antonacci, who hit a home run earlier in the game.

10:48 p.m.: Now on the mound pitching for Team USA is Brad Keller of the Philadelphia Phillies.

10:44 p.m.: Teel, who homered to get the party started for Italy, has a double in the sixth inning with one out.

He got the ball past Goldschmidt’s left. But, he pulled up on the way to second and immediately knew he suffered an injury. Teel is out of the game, walking off with trainers,

End of the fifth inning; Italy 5, United States 0

10:38 p.m.: Altavilla’s first batter is Crow-Armstrong, and he strikes him out looking.

Team USA is scoreless through five innings as Italy leads 5-0. What was thought of as a massive upset is now becoming a stark reality, with Italy in the drivers seat.

10:33 p.m.: Lorenzen has reached the WBC pitch limit, ending one of the best games of his career.

Against a Team USA lineup with multiple All-Stars, Lorenzen let up only two hits and no earned runs. 

Dan Altavilla comes in for Italy with two outs.

10:26 p.m.: It’s a 1-2-3 inning for the USA, who now go to the bottom of the fifth in desperate need of runs.

Due up is Goldschmidt, Clement and Crow-Armstrong.

10:22 p.m.: Yarbrough opens the top of the fifth with a strikeout, getting Berti to go swinging.

End of the fourth inning: Italy 5, United States 0

10:18 p.m.: The U.S. leaves another runner on base.

Here, Smith remains stranded with Anthony grounding out to second. The U.S. trails 5-0 through four.

10:15 p.m.: With two outs in the fourth, Smith hits a double down the left line and Team USA has a runner in scoring position.

10:09 p.m.: Yarbrough gets a strikeout and is out of the fourth, but not before Caglianone extends the Italy lead to five.

We head to the bottom of the fourth with the U.S. in a massive hole.

Italy 5, United States 0

10:05 p.m.: This game is now 5-0. 

It’s Caglianone who hits a blast of Yarbrough, a two-run home run. Italy now leads by five in a quiet Daikon Park.

10:03 p.m.: After homering his first at-bat, Teel is on base for the second time, drawing an opening walk off Yarbrough.

10:01 p.m.: McLean is done for the day, giving up three runs in three innings.

In for him is the crosstown rival, New York Yankee Ryan Yarbrough.

End of the third inning: Italy 3, United States 0

9:58 p.m.: With a run 90 feet away, Henderson grounds to Berti and the inning is over.

The U.S. is scoreless through three.

9:57 p.m.: Now, Witt gets to second on a wild pitch. Then, it’s another wild pitch that gets him to third.

The count is 1-2 with Henderson up.

The Orioles shortstop had an RBI double against Great Britain to break the game open.

9:56 p.m.: Team USA has its first hit courtesy of Witt Jr.

After Lorenzen gets through the lineup one time, the shortstop grounds the ball past the shortstop.

There are two outs in the third.

9:49 p.m.: With runners on the corners, McLean gets Zach Dezenzo to ground out directly to second.

Though Italy got runners on, they are scoreless in the third. Let’s see if Team USA can cut the deficit.

9:45 p.m.: McLean is through two, striking out Pasquantino for the second time tonight. But, with Canzone up, Smith’s attempt to pick off Marsee goes by second base, and the Italian goes to third.

Marsee is now 90 feet away with two outs in the third.

9:41 p.m.: Now, the Italians have a man on in the third, with Marsee walking.

End of the second inning: Italy 3, United States 0

9:36 p.m.: Lorenzen gets through Smith-Anthony-Goldschmidt out in seven pitches, and we are through two in Houston.

Shockingly, Italy leads by three early.

9:35 p.m.: Now, Lorenzen gets his first two batters in the second out, with Wil Smith flying out to right, then Roman Anthony grounding out to first on the first pitch.

Italy 3, United States 0

9:30 p.m.: It’s getting worse for Team USA early.

Now, Antonacci gets a hold of one and launches it to deep right field for a no-doubt home run. The two-run shot gives Italy a 3-0 lead in the second.

Roman Anthony grabs a fly out to end the inning, but not before McLean gives up two home runs and the U.S. trails

9:28 p.m.: Italy now has a man on, with Caglianone getting hit by a pitch on the foot.

Italy has a runner on, with Sam Antonacci coming up to the plate.

Italy 1, United States 0

9:27 p.m.: Italy is on the board.

After McLean gets the first two batters in the second, Kyle Teel sends the ball opposite field and over the wall. Just like that, Italy leads 1-0.

McLean looked in control for the first five batters, but here, Teel gets the best of him. Italy draws first blood.

End of the first inning: Italy 0, United States 0

9:21 p.m.: Schwarber flies out to right, with his ball going to foul territory before Jac Caglianone is there.

We’re scoreless after one.

9:19 p.m.: Team USA has the first man on base, courtesy of Judge. Kyle Schwarber comes up with a runner on first and two outs.

9:18 p.m.: Lorenzen has retired the first two batters, with Witt Jr. grounding out followed by a Henderson strikeout.

Here comes Aaron Judge, who homered against Mexico last night.

9:12 p.m.: McLean has struck out the side, getting Vinnie Pasquantino last.

The young star threw 11 pitches to get through the first. Now comes the USA offense.

9:12 p.m.: Two batters, two strikeouts.

Now, McLean gets Berti to go down swinging.

9:10 p.m.: McLean’s first three pitches are strikes and he has his first strikeout of the night.

Up comes Jon Berti.

9:07 p.m.: Here comes Nolan McLean and Team USA.

First up for Italy is Jakob Marsee.

9:01 p.m.: First pitch is at 9:08 p.m. ET.

Fans, take your seats.

8:50 p.m.: USA-Italy is minutes away.

Will Team USA advance to a historic 4-0 or will Italy secure a historic upset?

8:39 p.m.: Team USA looks to finish pool play with a perfect 4-0 record as they face a surprising 2-0 Italy squad tonight at Daikin Park. A win officially secures the top seed in Pool B for the Americans, while Italy aims to pull off a massive upset to keep their own undefeated streak alive.

With both lineups featuring significant MLB power, expect a high-energy battle for regional dominance in Houston.

8:20 p.m.: Nolan McLean just got to the big leagues, but he already has the respect of plenty of stars. This includes his USA teammate Bryce Harper, who called the pitcher the best arm he saw last season.

8:00 p.m.: Here are the USA and Italy lineups, side-by-side.

7:43 p.m.: We’re less than 90 minutes away.

7:27 p.m.: With a win tonight, Team USA will officially win Group B and move onto the quarterfinals. With a loss, the U.S. still should be advancing due to run differential, but its path will be harder, likely facing one of Puerto Rico, Japan or the Dominican Republic.

If the U.S. handles business, Mexico and Italy will enter their matchup with identical 2-1 records and the winner advancing to the quarterfinals.

7:08 p.m.: The lineup for Team Italy has also been released.

Captain Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals bats in the three spot, with his teammate Jac Caglianone in the seven slot.

6:46 p.m.: Team USA has plenty of offensive firepower, but of course at the front is four-time AL MVP Aaron Judge.

The captain has hit two home runs so far this tournament, including a two-run shot to break the deadlock last night against Mexico.

6:17 p.m.: Here’s the full history of Team USA and Italy’s matchups.

With a win tonight, the U.S. would be 4-0 for the first time ever.

6:00 p.m.: Michael Lorenzen will take the mound for Italy tonight as a veteran presence, having recently signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Colorado Rockies for the 2026 season.

The former All-Star is known for his remarkable versatility as a former two-way player, though he now focuses on a deep pitching arsenal that helped him log over 140 innings for the Royals last season.

5:34 p.m.: Nolan McLean and Team USA are on-site.

5:11 p.m.: Through three games, Team USA has outscored opponents 29-9.

5:00 p.m.: Team USA extended their perfect start to the World Baseball Classic with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Mexico last night at Daikin Park.

Paul Skenes set the tone early with four dominant, scoreless innings, while Aaron Judge and Roman Anthony provided the offensive spark with home runs during a decisive five-run third inning. Despite a late surge from Mexico fueled by two home runs from Jarren Duran, the American bullpen held firm to improve the squad to 3-0 in Pool B.

4:20 p.m.: Team USA’s lineup has been released.

With the U.S. sitting on top of the group and almost surely in the knockout stage, there are five changes:

  • Gunnar Henderson replaces Alex Bregman at 3B
  • Wil Smith replaces Cal Raleigh at C
  • Paul Goldschmidt replaces Byrce Harper at 1B
  • Ernie Clement replaces Brice Turang at 2B
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong replaces Byron Buxton in CF

Taking the bump for the U.S.: New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean.

4:18 p.m.: Today, the United States plays its final game of the World Baseball Classic group stage against 2-0 Italy. Standing at a perfect 3-0, Team USA can clinch the top seed in Pool B and a direct ticket to the Houston quarterfinals with a win at Daikin Park.

The Americans will hand the ball to rookie right-hander Nolan McLean, who is coming off a dominant debut season with the New York Mets. McLean follows a high-profile rotation that has already seen the likes of Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, and Paul Skenes stifle opponents. Italy, however, has been one of the tournament’s biggest surprises; behind a lineup featuring power hitters like Dante Nori and Dominic Canzone, the Italians have outscored their first two opponents 15-4.

The matchup is a high-stakes finale for the group. While the U.S. is heavily favored, an upset by Italy would create a potential three-way tie with Mexico, leaving the Americans to rely on tiebreaker math to determine their postseason fate.

Where to watch USA vs. Italy in WBC

USA vs. Italy start time

  • Date: Tuesday, March 10
  • Start time: 9 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. PT

Team USA’s final Group B game against Italy will take place on Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. ET. Both teams enter the matchup undefeated, with the USA advancing to 3-0 on Monday night with a win over Mexico. Meanwhile, Italy is 2-0 after picking up wins over Brazil and Great Britain. 

What channel is USA vs. Italy on today?

  • TV channel: FS1
  • Live stream: Fubo

Tuesday night’s Pool B finale between the USA and Italy will air live on FS1 at 9 p.m. ET. For those without cable, Fubo offers a free trial for new users looking to catch the action in Houston.

MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026:

USA World Baseball Classic schedule 2026

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV Channel
3/6 USA 15, Brazil 5 8:00 p.m. Fox, Fubo
3/7 USA 9, Great Britain 1 8:00 p.m. Fox, Fubo
3/9 USA 5, Mexico 3 8:00 p.m. Fox, Fubo
3/10 vs. Italy 8:00 p.m. FS1, Fubo
3/13 or 3/14 Quarterfinals TBD TBD, Fubo
3/15 or 3/16 Semifinals 8:00 p.m. FS1, Fubo
3/17 Finals 8:00 pm. Fox, Fubo

MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026: 

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