Venezuela Claims 2026 World Baseball Classic Title

Venezuela has won the 2026 World Baseball Classic, defeating the United States 3-2 in the final game held in Miami.

In a thrilling championship game, Orioles player Gunnar Henderson entered in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter for Alex Bregman, popping out against Venezuela closer Daniel Palencia. Team USA recorded three hits, with their only two runs coming in the eighth inning from a two-run home run by Bryce Harper.

Alex Bregman concluded the tournament with a .143 batting average and .578 OPS. Gunnar Henderson, despite his final at-bat, finished the tournament with a .400 batting average and 1.267 OPS.

Venezuela's Road to Victory

Venezuela advanced to the final by defeating Japan in the quarterfinals, followed by a victory over Italy in the semifinals.

Looking ahead, the next World Baseball Classic is scheduled for 2030, and baseball will return to the Olympics in 2028.

Orioles Spring Training Update

In Orioles camp, the team played to a 1-1 tie with the Tigers in Lakeland. Bryan Ramos delivered a strong performance, going 3-for-4, which included a double and a solo home run. Samuel Basallo also doubled in his 1-for-4 outing.

Pitching Highlights

Pitcher Chris Bassitt completed 5.1 scoreless innings, striking out four batters. Rico Garcia and José Espada each contributed clean innings, maintaining spotless spring ERAs.

Upcoming Game

The Orioles are scheduled to play the Blue Jays in Dunedin today at 1:07 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on MASN.

Orioles Roster and Coaching Insights

The addition of pitcher Chris Bassitt is noted for strengthening the Orioles' rotation stability. Promising catcher Samuel Basallo previously performed effectively against Justin Verlander in a prior game.

Orioles outfield coach Jason Bourgeois has incorporated a tennis racket into his training methods, a technique also utilized by MLB star Mookie Betts.

2026 Starting Rotation Outlook

The Orioles' starting rotation for 2026 aims to exceed expectations, featuring potential contributors such as:

• Kyle Bradish
• Trevor Rogers
• Shane Baz
• Chris Bassitt
• Dean Kremer
• Zach Eflin