High Stakes in Houston

HOUSTON – Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic and will face Canada on Friday night at Daikin Park. The matchup carries extra weight as a rematch of recent Olympic gold medal games in men’s and women’s hockey, offering Canada a chance for retribution.

Both teams finished pool play with 3-1 records. The game is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on FOX.

Road to the Quarterfinals

Team USA’s path to the quarterfinals was unexpectedly challenging. After an initial strong showing in pool play, including wins over Brazil (15-5) and Great Britain (9-1), and a 5-3 victory over Mexico, they suffered a stunning upset loss to Italy (8-6). Their fate rested on Italy’s subsequent game against Mexico, which Italy won, securing Team USA’s spot in the knockout stage.

Canada similarly had a successful pool play, going 3-1. They’ve already achieved the most wins in their country’s history in the Classic, building on the momentum of the Toronto Blue Jays’ recent AL pennant run.

Pitching Matchup

Canada is expected to start Michael Soroka, who previously started their opener against Colombia. Logan Webb is slated to take the mound for Team USA.

What’s at Stake?

What we have is Canada’s first appearance in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. For Team USA, the pressure is on to live up to expectations, especially considering the talent on their roster.

“The first Canadian club to reach the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic will try to knock off a resplendent-but-relieved American squad that came dangerously close to mathematical elimination from a tournament many predicted it to win.”

mlb.com

Olympic Echoes

The rivalry extends beyond the baseball diamond. Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal for Team USA in the Winter Olympics, sent a nice little fire-up message to the baseball team ahead of the quarterfinal matchup.

How to Watch

The game will be broadcast on FOX, with an English-language audio stream available on Sirius XM and MLB.com.

FAQ

• When is the game? Friday, March 13, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
• Where is the game being played? Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.
• What channel is it on? FOX.
• Who are the starting pitchers? Michael Soroka for Canada and Logan Webb for Team USA.