
Sports
Italy Just Handed Team USA Its First WBC Loss, and It Wasn't a Fluke
Italy's 8-6 upset of the United States in WBC pool play exposed real problems with America's most stacked roster ever, and the Azzurri earned every run.
Alex Rivers·

Italy's 8-6 upset of the United States in WBC pool play exposed real problems with America's most stacked roster ever, and the Azzurri earned every run.

Darell Hernaiz and Ozzie Albies made World Baseball Classic history with the tournament's first-ever walk-off home runs, capping a night that also saw Japan slug four homers to beat Korea.

With 22 All-Stars, both Cy Young winners, and Aaron Judge wearing the captain's armband, Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster is the most talented ever assembled. But talent wasn't the problem in 2023.

Shohei Ohtani launched a grand slam in a 10-run second inning as Japan opened the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a historic rout, while Korea and Australia also advanced with convincing wins.