Why Tariq Skubal doesn’t appear in more WBC matches for the United States
Tariq Skubal explained to the media why he decided not to pitch in a future World Baseball Classic game, despite the camaraderie between him and his American teammates.
On Friday, March 13, the United States and Canada will meet in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with the winner moving on to face the Dominican Republic in the Final Four.
The U.S. was 3-1 in pool play, but needed help to advance after losing to Italy in the finale. Italy defeated Mexico, giving Team USA the result it needed to continue its winning streak of getting past the first round of each WBC tournament. Canada is no slouch either, finishing first in a tough group with a 3-1 record after wins over Puerto Rico and Cuba.
The Americans will turn to San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb. He allowed a leadoff home run in Team USA’s WBC opener against Brazil, but then went on to win the game with no hits and no runs allowed in four innings. Right-hander Michael Soroka pitched for Canada. An All-Star in 2019, Soroka’s career was derailed by injuries, but his 89 2/3 innings pitched in MLB in 2025 is the most he’s pitched since that year.
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Where to watch the USA vs. Canada WBC baseball game
- time: 8pm ET
- tv channels: fox
- streaming: Fubo
Watch USA vs. Canada live on Fubo
With runners on first and second base and one out, left-hander Adam Macko appeared in place of Philippe Aumont. Macco Prompt allowed an RBI hit to Bryce Turan, but one pitch later Pete Crowe Armstrong hit an RBI hit to center field, extending America’s lead to 5-0 in the top of the sixth inning.
With two outs and two on second base, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa pulled starter Logan Webb and put the dangerous Josh Naylor in the batter’s box for Canada. Brad Keller relieved Webb and grounded Naylor out to first base, keeping the runner in scoring position.
Webb’s final line: 4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K in 70 pitches.
American starter Logan Webb pitched four scoreless innings, allowing four hits, striking out four, and walking no balls. The San Francisco Giants ace avoided Abraham Toro’s one-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The American team had two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the third inning with a walk and two singles. Canadian pitcher Michael Soroka had Alex Bregman ground out to third base, but Abraham Toro threw the ball to first base and an infield hit gave him two points.
Soroka was replaced by left-hander Micah Ashman, who avoided further damage by striking out Roman Anthony and striking out runners on second and third base.
Bobby Witt Jr. opened the game with a walk, then advanced to third base on a one-out double by two batters, Aaron Judge. With two runners in scoring position, No. 4 batter Kyle Schwarber hit an RBI single to a grounder to first base, scoring the first run of the game.
starting pitcher:RHP Logan Webb
- Bobby Witt Jr. – SS
- Bryce Harper – 1B
- Aaron Judge – RF
- Kyle Schwarber – DH
- Alex Bregman – 3B
- Roman Anthony – LF
- Cal Lowry – C
- Bryce Turan – 2B
- Pete Crowe Armstrong – CF
starting pitcher: RHP Michael Soroka
- Otto Lopez – SS
- Josh Naylor – 1B
- Tyler O’Neal – RF
- Owen Casey – LF
- Abraham Toro – 3B
- Tyler Black – DH
- Beau Naylor – C
- Denzel Clark – CF
- Edouard Julien – 2B
- Bob Nightengale: America 6, Canada 3
- Gabe Lux: America 7, Canada 2
- Jesse Yomtov: America 9, Canada 2
2026 WBC slot
quarterfinals
Semi-final
- Dominica/Korea vs. USA/Canada – Sunday, Miami (Buy Tickets)
- Puerto Rico/Italy vs. Japan/Venezuela – Monday, Miami (Buy Tickets)
WBC title match
- Semifinal Winner – Tuesday, March 17th, Miami (Buy Tickets)
- 2025: 15–11 | 3.22 ERA | 207.0 IP | 224 So | 1.24 Whip
- 2024: 13–10 | ERA 3.47 | 204.2 IP | 172 SO | 1.23 Whip
- 2023: 11–13 | ERA 3.25 | 216.0 IP | 194 So | 1.07 Whip
- 2022: 15–9 | ERA 2.90 | 192.1 IP | 163 So | 1.16 Whip
- 2021: 11–3 | 3.03 ERA | 148.1 IP | 158 SO | 1.11 Whip
- 2020: 3–4 | ERA 5.47 | 54.1 IP | 46 SO | 1.56 WHIP
- 2019: 2–3 | 5.22 ERA | 39.2 Intellectual Property | 37 So | 1.46 Whip
pitcher: David Bednar, Matthew Boyd, Garrett Cleavinger, Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jacks, Brad Keller, Clayton Kershaw, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Paul Skenes, Tyler Rogers, Gabe Speer, Will Best, Logan Webb, Garrett Whitlock
*New York Yankees pitcher LHP Tim Hill replaces Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Best, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Rodgers, Skubal, Wacha, and Yankees left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.
catcher: Cal Lowry, Will Smith
Infielder: Alex Bregman, Ernie Clement, Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson, Bryce Turan, Bobby Witt Jr.
Outfielder: Roman Anthony, Byron Buxton, Pete Crowe-Armstrong, Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber
pitcher: Logan Allen, Micah Ashman, Philip Ormont, Jordan Balazovic, Eric Cerantola, Indigo Diaz, Brock Dykehoorn, Antoine Jean, Adam Macko, James Paxton, Cal Quantrill, Noah Schiro, Michael Soroka, Jameson Taillon, Matt Wilkinson, Rob Zastrizny.
catcher: Beau Naylor, Liam Hicks
infielder: Josh Naylor, Edouard Julien, Abraham Toro, Otto Lopez, Tyler Black, Matt Davidson, Adam Hall.
outfielder: Tyler O’Neal, Owen Casey, Denzel Clarke, Jacob Robson, Jared Young
