World Baseball Classic 2026: Venezuela Claims Title

Venezuela has won the 2026 World Baseball Classic, defeating the United States 3-2 in the final game held in Miami. The dramatic championship game saw Orioles player Gunnar Henderson enter in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter for Alex Bregman, ultimately 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 finished his World Baseball Classic performance with an impressive .400 batting average and 1.267 OPS.

Venezuela's path to the final included key victories over Japan in the quarterfinals and Italy in the semifinals. 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 went 3-for-4, including a double and a solo home run, showcasing strong offensive potential. Samuel Basallo also doubled in his 1-for-4 performance.

On the mound, pitcher Chris Bassitt completed 5.1 scoreless innings, striking out four batters. Rico Garcia and José Espada each pitched clean innings, maintaining spotless spring ERAs, contributing to the team's strong pitching outlook.

Upcoming, the Orioles are scheduled to play the Blue Jays in Dunedin today at 1:07 p.m. EST. Fans can catch the game broadcast live on MASN.

Orioles Roster and Coaching Insights

The addition of pitcher Chris Bassitt is noted for strengthening the Orioles' rotation stability. Prospects like Samuel Basallo have also made an impact, performing effectively against veteran pitchers such as Justin Verlander in a prior game.

Orioles outfield coach Jason Bourgeois has incorporated a unique training method, utilizing a tennis racket in his drills—a technique also famously employed by Mookie Betts.

Looking ahead, the Orioles' starting rotation for 2026 aims to exceed expectations. The rotation includes potential contributors like Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Dean Kremer, and Zach Eflin.