MLB Baseball 8-Hour Briefing

Last updated: March 17, 2026, 7:30 AM ET

World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals

Venezuela triumphed over Italy in a comeback victory to secure its inaugural appearance in the World Baseball Classic final, setting up a highly anticipated showdown against the United States. The disappointment was evident for Japan's manager, Hirokazu Ibata, who announced his resignation following the team's 8-5 quarterfinal elimination defeat by Venezuela in Miami.