The stakes are as high as ever for Wednesday’s matchup at the 2026 World Baseball Classic between Mexico and Italy.
Between three WBC squads, Mexico, the United States and Italy, only two spots in the quarterfinals of the elimination bracket are available based on the results of the matchup. Coming into the Pool B game, Italy sits at 3-0, Mexico is 2-1, while the United States has wrapped up pool play at 3-1.
There are varying outcomes for which teams come out of Pool B. The most straightforward scenario: if Italy beats Mexico, then Italy and the United States advance. However, if Mexico beats Italy, things will get complicated, with the number of runs scored deciding whether it would be Italy or the U.S. claiming the other Pool B spot.
Mark DeRosa’s Team USA squad can do nothing but watch as its WBC fate is on the line Wednesday night. With Aaron Nola getting the ball for Italy, and Javier Assad pitching for Mexico, it’s virtually an elimination game in Houston.
The Sporting News is tracking full results and statistics from Italy vs. Mexico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Follow along below with an updated box score from the final Pool B game.
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Mexico vs. Italy baseball box score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | F | |
| Italy | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mexico stats
Hitting
| Order | Hitter | Position | H-AB | R | HR | RBI | AVG (WBC) |
| 1 | Jarren Duran | RF | 0-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .417 |
| 2 | Randy Arozarena | LF | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 |
| 3 | Jonathan Aranda | 1B | 1-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .417 |
| 4 | Alejandro Kirk | C | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| 5 | Joey Meneses | DH | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| 6 | Nacho Alvarez Jr. | 3B | 1-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .300 |
| 7 | Nick Gonzales | 2B | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .182 |
| 8 | Alek Thomas | CF | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| 9 | Joey Ortiz | SS | 1-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .300 |
Pitching
| Pitcher | IP | H | ER | BB | K | PC-ST | ERA |
| Javier Assad | 4.0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 46-30 | 2.35 |
Italy stats
Hitting
| Order | Hitter | Position | H-AB | R | HR | RBI | AVG (WBC) |
| 1 | Sam Antonacci | SS | 0-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .222 |
| 2 | Jon Berti | 2B | 1-2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .364 |
| 3 | Jakob Marsee | CF | 0-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .143 |
| 4 | Vinnie Pasquantino | 1B | 1-2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .071 |
| 5 | Zach Dezenzo | DH | 0-2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| 6 | Jac Caglianone | RF | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| 7 | Andrew Fischer | 3B | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .400 |
| 8 | J.J. D’Orazio | C | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| 9 | Dante Nori | LF | 1-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .545 |
Pitching
| Pitcher | IP | H | ER | BB | K | PC-ST | ERA |
| Aaron Nola | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 36-24 | 0.00 |
MORE: World Baseball Classic prize money breakdown
