The World Baseball Classic starts this week, and Team Dominican Republic‘s schedule begins with a game against Team Nicaragua on Friday, March 6, at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.
Team Dominican Republic is looking to bounce back after a poor showing in the 2023 tournament. The star-studded squad went 2-2 in pool play and failed to reach the quarterfinals. The two teams to advance out of Team Dominican Republic’s pool, Team Venezuela and Team Puerto Rico, were quickly dispatched in the next round.
The 2013 WBC winners will once again face off against Team Venezuela in Pool D. Team Nicaragua, Team Israel, and Team Netherlands round out the group. The full tournament schedule can be found here.
Team Dominican Republic’s Schedule for the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Team Dominican Republic’s schedule opens with an intriguing matchup. Team Nicaragua was swept in the 2023 tournament but bounced back with an impressive performance in the qualifier in March. The club won all three games to secure a WBC berth via the Taipei Qualifier. Team Nicaragua is thin on big leaguers outside of New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos. The squad is coached by legendary manager Dusty Baker, though.
All of the Pool D games will be at loanDepot Park. If Team Dominican Republic can emerge from the group, it’ll stay in Miami for the quarterfinal matchup. The top two teams from the pool advance to the next round.
Here’s the full schedule for Team Dominican Republic’s pool play slate:
- March 6: vs. Team Nicaragua at 7 p.m. ET
- March 8: vs. Team Netherlands at 12 p.m. ET
- March 9: @ Team Israel at 12 p.m. ET
- March 11: @ Team Venezuela at 8 p.m. ET
The advancing teams will descend on Miami beginning on Sunday, March 15, for the semifinals. The championship is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, at loanDepot Park.
FOX Sports will air every game on various channels. Broadcast locations include the regular FOX channel, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes, Tubi, and the Fox Sports app.
Who Will Be on Team Dominican Republic’s Roster?
Team Dominican Republic’s roster is littered with All-Stars and future Hall of Famers. A pair of Arizona Diamondbacks up the middle in Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo will be bookended by perennial MVP candidates Jose Ramirez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the corners. The outfield is unrivaled in the tournament, boasting Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and Juan Soto.
The pitching staff is headlined by Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cristopher Sanchez and Sandy Alcantara, the latter of whom will be pitching in his home park. The bullpen features American League saves leader Carlos Estevez, plus experienced closers Camilo Doval, Dennis Santana, and Seranthony Dominguez.
Here’s the full roster for Team Dominican Republic:
Hitters
- Austin Wells
- Agustín Ramírez
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Manny Machado
- Ketel Marte
- Geraldo Perdomo
- Jeremy Peña
- Junior Caminero
- Amed Rosario
- Carlos Santana
- Juan Soto
- Julio Rodríguez
- Fernando Tatis Jr.
- Oneil Cruz
- Junior Lake
Pitchers
- Sandy Alcantara
- Cristopher Sánchez
- Luis Severino
- Brayan Bello
- Carlos Estévez
- Abner Uribe
- Camilo Doval
- Seranthony Domínguez
- Gregory Soto
- Wandy Peralta
- Dennis Santana
- Huascar Brazobán
- Elvis Alvarado
- Albert Abreu
- Juan Mejía
The squad will be coached by St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols. The former first baseman was in the mix for a handful of MLB gigs this offseason, and seemed to be heading toward the Los Angeles Angels vacancy, but he’ll settle for managing Team Dominican Republic.
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