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USA vs. Mexico live score, updates, highlights from 2026 World Baseball Classic game

USA vs. Mexico live score, updates, highlights from 2026 World Baseball Classic game

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With the World Baseball Classic underway, Team USA has followed a similar path in each of their first two games.

The United States beat both Brazil and Great Britain by a combined 18 points, but both of those games were close early before Team USA blew it open late. However, the competition only gets tougher, as three teams in Group C remain undefeated.

One of those teams is Mexico, who also beat Brazil and Great Britain in blowout victories. Mexico has had Team USA’s upper hand in the WBC, which includes a win in 2023 that led to Mexico winning the group while the United States finished in second.

On Monday night, these teams face off in a game that could decide the winner of Group C, as was the case three years ago. However, with Italy also 2-0 and yet to play both USA and Mexico, the loser of Monday’s game could be in danger of missing the knockout stage entirely.

STREAM: Watch USA vs. Mexico live with Fubo (free trial)

The United States will, therefore, send out their ace against Mexico, with Paul Skenes taking the mound. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace and 2025 NL Cy Young winner is motivated to play for his country, and this is widely believed to be the biggest game of the group stage for the United States.

On the other side, Mexico will send out Manny Barreda, a 37-year-old who last pitched in Major League Baseball in 2021.

The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights from the 2026 World Baseball Classic contest between Team USA and Mexico. Follow along with further updates from Daikin Park.

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC HQ: Live scores | Updated standings | Full TV schedule

USA vs. Mexico baseball score

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 F
Mexico                    
USA                    

USA vs. Mexico live updates, highlights from 2026 World Baseball Classic game

*All times ET*

7:56 p.m.: USA-Mexico is minutes away, so let’s set the scene one more time.

In a battle of undefeated 2-0 squads, the winner of tonight’s matchup in Houston will take sole possession of first place in Pool B and move to the brink of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal berth.

Team USA enters as the favorite behind a high-powered lineup and starter Paul Skenes, but they face a Mexico team that has historically dominated this WBC rivalry with a 3-1 all-time record.

While neither side is mathematically eliminated with a loss, the stakes are massive as the falling team would face a high-pressure, must-win finale against Italy to avoid a stunning early exit.

7:39 p.m.: Let’s revisit the teams’ last WBC matchup, which came in 2023. It was Mexican domination, led by Joey Meneses, who hit a home run in Phoenix.

Mexico won 11-5 and almost mercy-ruled the U.S.

7:25 p.m.: USA-Mexico is less than 40 minutes away.

Expect an environment like nothing before.

6:56 p.m.: It’s fair to say tonight is the biggest start of Paul Skenes’ career so far, representing his country against one of its rivals with first place on the line.

Fans should take a moment and read some of his “Players’ Tribune” letter.

6:54 p.m.: The atmosphere in Houston tonight is going to be electric.

USA-Mexico, one of the best rivalries out there, is getting closer.

6:53 p.m.: For those looking for the history between the U.S. and Mexico, here’s the full rundown.

6:34 p.m.: We have our lineups for tonight. The latest edition of USA-Mexico is less than two hours away.

6:14 p.m.: Though he’s not on the bump, there has been some significant news out of Team USA. Tarik Skubal, the two-time reigning Cy-Young winner who started the win against Great Britain, will not pitch again in the WBC.

Skubal is heading into the final year of his contract with the Tigers and with the season fastly approaching, he will return to Detroit after tonight’s game.

5:50 p.m.: The winner of tonight’s contest will take the lead in Group B, and moreover, take one massive step towards the WBC quarterfinals.

Both the U.S. and Mexico face Italy, making it a three-way round robin for the top of Group B.

5:37 p.m.: The United States are on-site at Daikon Park, looking to defeat Mexico in the WBC for the first time since 2006.

Team USA has scored 24 runs in two games so far.

5:02 p.m.: The undisputed face of Mexico’s national team, Randy Arozarena remains the ultimate big-game hunter after a 2023 tournament where he hit .450 and earned All-Tournament honors. 

Now a member of the Seattle Mariners following a career-high 27-home run season in 2025, the Cuban-born outfielder continues to be the emotional heartbeat of the clubhouse, often seen donning his signature “power boots” to engage the crowd.

He enters tonight’s clash with Team USA having already posted a 1.000 OPS through the first two games of Pool B, proving once again that he thrives most when the spotlight is brightest.

4:25 p.m.: Team USA’s starting lineup is out.

With Skenes on the bump, the lineup remains the same it was in the 9-1 win over Great Britain on Saturday.

4:00 p.m.: Before he was rewriting MLB record books, Skenes was a two-way force at the Air Force Academy, where he famously became the only Division I player to record double-digit home runs and saves in the same season.

In a moving “Players’ Tribune” letter released today, he recalled the weight of taking the Oath of Enlistment just three hours after arriving on campus, an experience he credits for the “Service Before Self” mentality he carries to the mound.

Though he eventually transferred to LSU to chase his professional dreams, Skenes emphasized that he still carries those cadet values with him, viewing tonight’s start as a chance to represent the service members watching from around the globe.

3:44 p.m.: We’re in for a treat tonight.

Taking the mound for the United States is reigning-NL Cy Young winner, Paul Skenes.

Coming off a 2025 campaign where he led the National League with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts, Skenes officially becomes the spearhead of the most decorated rotation Team USA has ever fielded in this tournament.

Across the diamond, Mexico counters with veteran right-hander Manny Barreda, looking to orchestrate another upset like the one that defined their 2023 run.

Where to watch USA vs. Mexico in WBC

USA vs. Mexico start time

  • Date: Monday, March 9
  • Start time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT

Team USA and Mexico will battle on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET in Houston, Texas. It will be both teams’ third game of the tournament, as they each enter the game 2-0.

What channel is USA vs. Mexico on today?

  • TV channel: Fox
  • Live stream: Fubo

Fox will have the call of USA vs. Mexico, with Joe Davis and John Smoltz set to call the game. Fans looking for an alternate stream can also find the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026:

USA World Baseball Classic schedule 2026

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV Channel
3/6 USA 15, Brazil 5 8:00 p.m. Fox, Fubo
3/7 USA 9, Great Britain 1 8:00 p.m. Fox, Fubo
3/9 vs. Mexico 8:00 p.m. Fox, Fubo
3/10 vs. Italy 8:00 p.m. FS1, Fubo
3/13 or 3/14 Quarterfinals TBD TBD, Fubo
3/15 or 3/16 Semifinals 8:00 p.m. FS1, Fubo
3/17 Finals 8:00 pm. Fox, Fubo

MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026: 

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