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Team USA advances to World Baseball Classic final after win over Dominican Republic
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Team USA is headed back to the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final, as they toppled the Dominican Republic, 2-1, in a thriller in Miami on Sunday night.
The U.S., who fell to Japan in the WBC final in 2023, will look for redemption against either Venezuela or Italy, who play their semifinal matchup on Monday night.
The hype and hysteria coming into this contest between two world baseball powerhouses lived up to it all despite what the box score said. Both teams came in clutch during key moments, while matching the raucous energy of the crowd.
Roman Anthony of Team United States runs around the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team Dominican Republic during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Of course, the Dominican Republic dugout and faithful went ballistic when Junior Caminero, the 22-year-old Tampa Bay Rays rising star, belted a hanging breaking ball from Skenes in the bottom of the second inning with two strikes. The ball was pelted to left field at over 400 feet, and their patented celebration ensued.
The D.R. got the first strike off Skenes, who had been looking forward to this start against a lineup littered with some of the best baseball players in MLB. But two innings later, it was Team USA’s own young stars who turned the game around in their favor.
Gunnar Henderson, who manager Mark DeRosa chose to play at third base, his secondary position as a shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, over Alex Bregman, one of the best defensive players at the hot corner in MLB, due to how well he hit Luis Severino. The veteran right-hander was amped for his start for the D.R., and his emotion showed it.
JAPAN SUFFERS SHOCKING COLLAPSE TO VENEZUELA IN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
However, DeRosa’s decision came down to how much success Henderson had against Severino. The decision paid off, as Henderson hit a moon shot over the right-center field fence to tie the game at one apiece.
Severino was pulled after one more batter for Gregory Soto, who was facing Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony, the 21-year-old who has had a great first appearance in the WBC. After running the count full, Anthony took advantage of a fastball right down the middle, launching it over the center field wall to take a 2-1 lead.
Paul Skenes of Team United States reacts after giving up a home run to Junior Caminero #13 (not pictured) of Team Dominican Republic during the second inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The entire American dugout was on the field, as Anthony motioned across his chest, showing off his pride as he celebrated with teammates.
It was just what Team USA needed in the top of the fourth inning, especially after having runners at second and third with one out in the previous frame and not being able to get runs across. Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber both struck out to end the inning, which fired up Severino who screamed toward Team USA’s dugout.
But Judge clearly let that go from his head, as he had a crucial defensive play in the bottom of the third inning when he gunned down Fernando Tatis Jr. trying to go from first base to third. Tatis, who is a fast runner, was out by a mile, with Judge proving his elbow, which caused issues in 2025, is more than fine heading into the 2026 season.
The Dominicans ultimately chased Skenes from the game after 4.1 innings, as his final line read six hits, one earned run on the Caminero homer and two strikeouts. Severino lasted 3.1 innings, giving up five hits while striking out six Team USA hitters in an impressive outing that saw triple-digit fastballs on the radar gun.
Luis Severino of Team Dominican Republic reacts after striking out Kyle Schwarber #12 (not pictured) of Team United States to end the third inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
The U.S. knew a 2-1 lead was not enough, but as the Dominican bullpen continued to stifle their bats, and Julio Rodriguez appeared to rob a home run from Judge, they needed their own relievers to come through. After Tyler Rogers and Griffin Jax did their jobs, David Bednar found himself in some trouble with runners on second and third with one out – the same situation Judge and Schwarber found themselves in – in the bottom of the seventh.
But Bednar, who escaped a similar situation against Canada in the quarterfinals, struck out Tatis and Ketel Marte to get out of the jam and keep the score the same.
Garrett Whitlock was solid in the eighth inning to keep the one-run lead alive, which led for the easiest decision for DeRosa on the night: Mason Miller to pitch the ninth.
The San Diego Padres All-Star closer got a strikeout to start the inning, but things got interesting when he walked Rodriguez and Will Smith couldn’t handle a pitch from Miller that allowed a free pass to second base.
Gunnar Henderson of Team USA rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning of the 2026 World Baseball Classic WBC game presented by Capital One between Team USA and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot park on Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos)
Oneil Cruz moved Rodriguez to third on a groundnut to Bobby Witt Jr., leaving Geraldo Perdomo as the D.R.’s last hope. He had a clutch at-bat earlier in the game, one that could’ve tied it up if Wells read the line drive to center field better from second base.
But Miller got Perdomo looking on a 3-2 slider at the bottom of the zone to secure Team USA’s spot in the WBC final.
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Sports
Thunder push Spurs to brink with dominant Game 5 win as Wembanyama posts series-low 20 points
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are just one win away from a second consecutive NBA Finals berth. The Western Conference Finals shifted back to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, with the defending league champions pulling away in the second half for a 127-114 victory in Game 5.
The reigning two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points and nine assists Tuesday night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder watches during the fourth quarter of Game Five against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on May 26, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 24 points and five rebounds, while Victor Wembanyama finished with a series-low 20 points.
Entering Tuesday, the Spurs appeared to follow a relatively simple formula for success in the Western Conference Finals: When Wembanyama was the best player on the floor, they won. When he wasn’t, they lost.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama looks on during the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Wembanyama, who delivered 41- and 33-point performances in the Spurs’ two wins earlier in the series, never appeared to fully find his rhythm in Game 5. He was 4 for 15 from the floor, missing all five of his 3-point attempts.
He offered an impassioned speech to teammates during a timeout barely two minutes into the third quarter, after the Thunder opened an 18-point lead. And it worked — to a point. Oklahoma City scored again to get the lead up to 20, but the Spurs closed within eight later in the third.
Elsewhere, the New York Knicks will have to wait until at least Thursday to find out which team emerges from the Western Conference.
Jared McCain of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the fourth quarter of Game Five against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 26, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Even before Game 5 of the Spurs-Thunder series tipped off, San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson was asked about Knicks fans in Manhattan chanting, “We want Wemby! We want Wemby!”
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“I know New York’s on fire. They won so that city is obviously enjoying it and they’ve had a heck of a playoff run,” Johnson said. “But unfortunately, I’ve been pretty locked-into what we’ve got going right here in front of us.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
SEMIFINALS
DIVISION 1
Norco 5, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 2
St. John Bosco 3, Harvard-Westlake 1
DIVISION 2
Ganesha 2, Newport Harbor 1
Loyola 6, Santa Ana Foothill 3
DIVISION 3
Mira Costa 12, St. Francis 0
Agoura 3, Millikan 1
DIVISION 4
Glendora 3, Rio Mesa 0
Laguna Beach 2, Grand Terrace 1
DIVISION 5
Kaiser 3, Irvine 2
Culver City 4, Long Beach Wilson 3
DIVISION 6
Brentwood 8, Trinity Classical Academy 0
Covina 6, Lakewood 1
DIVISION 7
North Torrance 9, Santa Paula 3
South El Monte 3, Norwalk 0
DIVISION 8
Rancho Alamitos 3, Oxford Academy 0
Schurr 4, Duarte 2
DIVISION 9
Webb 24, Crossroads Christian 15
Rolling Hills Prep 5, Temecula Prep 3
Note: Finals in all divisions May 29-30.
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Baseball is humming.
Here are the odds for the 2026 World Series at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 25.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
2026 World Series odds
Dodgers: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)
Yankees: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Braves: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Mariners: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Rays: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Cubs: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Brewers: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total)
Phillies: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Blue Jays: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Rangers: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Guardians: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Padres: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Red Sox: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Astros: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Athletics: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Tigers: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Mets: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Pirates: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Diamondbacks: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Orioles: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Twins: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Royals: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Reds: +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)
White Sox: +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)
Cardinals: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Giants: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Marlins: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Angels: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Rockies: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Nationals: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:
The Defending Champs: At the end of last season, the Dodgers became the first back-to-back World Series champs since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000. In addition, L.A. won its third championship in the past six years. As for this season? L.A. has picked up right where it left off. As of May 25, the Dodgers are atop the NL West and have the third-best record in baseball (33-20). They have the highest run differential per game in MLB (2), and sit in the top five in batting average, home runs, RBIs, hits, pitching wins, team ERA and quality starts.
Making Waves: The Rays were not seen as a threat entering the season. In fact, they had the longest odds to win their own division. However, as of May 25, they have the best record in baseball (34-16), behind a pitching staff that is having a dominant year. Tampa Bay is second in wins (34), fifth in team ERA (3.51) and first in saves (23). In terms of World Series odds, the Rays were at +6000 back on April 27.
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