Nicaragua may have been the first team in Pool D eliminated from the possibility of advancing, but manager Dusty Baker isn’t approaching Monday night’s game against Venezuela any differently than he would if his team was fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic gets one of its marquee games on Monday when the United States takes on rival Mexico. Both teams are 2-0 in Pool B. In the WBC’s first game on Monday, South Korea beat Australia 7-2 to reach the quarterfinals from Pool C.

Team Venezuela is finding joy in Miami after numerous anxieties surrounded the group in the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic.

Led by stars including Ronald Acuna Jr., Venezuela hopes for a long run in the WBC bracket after falling in the quarterfinals last time.

Venezuela is expected to be one of the most exciting teams at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. While the pitching staff will need to step up, the lineup projects to be one of the best in the entire tournament.

Luis Arraez powered Team Venezuela past Israel in the World Baseball Classic and credited his family, faith and fans.

Baseball has taken Todd Van Steensel around the world. He's pitched in the Minors for the Phillies and Twins, played for Kinheim in Holland's Honkbal Hoofdklasse, Guadalajara in the Mexican League (for current Mexican national team manager Benji Gil),