USA vs. Canada: World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal Preview, Pitching Matchup, and How to Watch
HOUSTON – Team USA faces a challenging quarterfinal matchup against a surging Canada squad in the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Friday, March 13, at Daikin Park in Houston. The United States (3-1) needed a late assist from Italy to secure its place in the knockout stage, while Canada (3-1) is making history with its first trip to the WBC quarterfinals.
When and Where to Watch
The game is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on Fox and its streaming platform.
Pitching Matchup
The pitching matchup features MLB veterans, with Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants taking the mound for Team USA against Canada’s Michael Soroka. Webb allowed one run in four innings while striking out six in Team USA’s WBC opener against Brazil. Soroka pitched three innings, allowing one run against Colombia in his prior outing for Canada. Experts suggest Webb has a clear advantage based on his recent MLB performance, consistently surpassing 200 innings pitched from 2023 to 2025.
Team USA’s Road to the Quarterfinals
The United States went 3-1 in pool play, with victories over Brazil, Great Britain, and Mexico before a surprising loss to Italy. That loss initially jeopardized their chances of advancing, but Italy’s subsequent win over Mexico secured Team USA’s spot in the quarterfinals.
Canada’s Historic Run
This marks the first time Canada has advanced past the first round in six World Baseball Classic tournaments. They finished atop Pool A, defeating Colombia, losing to Panama, and then securing wins against Puerto Rico and Cuba in San Juan.
What’s at Stake
The winner of the USA-Canada game will advance to the semifinals, where they will face either South Korea or the Dominican Republic in Miami on Sunday, March 15. For Team USA, the goal remains a gold medal after finishing as the runner-up in 2023.
Expert Predictions
Several baseball writers and editors have offered their predictions for the game:
- Gabe Lacques (USA TODAY Sports): USA 7, Canada 2
- Jesse Yomtov (USA TODAY Sports): USA 9, Canada 2
- Bob Nightengale (USA TODAY Sports): USA 6, Canada 3
These predictions suggest a likely victory for Team USA, but acknowledge Canada’s momentum and potential to make it a competitive game.