USA Edges Canada 5-3 To Secure Semifinal Berth

[Matthew Nethercott]

Image courtesy of Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

For the third time in the past month, the USA and Canada squared off in a major sporting event. Last month it was the Olympics, this the WBC. Team USA took this matchup, 5-3 over Canada.

For the USA, Logan Webb was dominant. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, striking out five and not allowing a run. His defense was good behind him today, with Bobby Witt Jr. making some very impressive catches on line drives to keep runners off the basepaths. Webb had all his pitches working for him today and really only labored in one inning, which was the first where he struck out consecutive batters to get out of a jam.

Logan Webb today:

4.2 IP, 4 H, 5 K, 0 R

That’s after 4 IP and 6 SO in game 1 of WBC. Also threw 14.2 innings of 1 run ball with 17 strikeouts against the Dodgers in the 2021 NLDS. He’s been lights out in big games in his career, the Giants just haven’t gotten him there enough. pic.twitter.com/9eetkWs3Iu

— Michael Monreal (@ByMMonreal) March 14, 2026

On the other side, Michael Soroka was effective to a degree today. He gave up three runs, two earned, for Canada over 2 2/3 innings of work. His defense betrayed him in the third inning when he got a ground ball to the left side out of Alex Bregman that was thrown away and ended his night. His line would have looked cleaner if the play had been made. Still, Soroka’s velocity was up two MPH on his fastball from normal, according to the FOX broadcast, meaning he was amped up for the start.

Michael Soroka has finished his outing vs. the USA:

2.2 IP | 4 H | 3 R | 2 BB | 1 K

His defense let him down on all of the runs scored. With any competence on that side of the ball, we'd be talking about a no-run or 1-run outing.

The #Dbacks arm is up 1.7 mph in fastball velo! pic.twitter.com/llYhYvn7Cm

— Diamondbacks Prospects ? (@dbacksprospectz) March 14, 2026

In the meantime, let's review the most impactful plays from the game, per WPA vi.a Baseball Savant:

3. Bo Naylor Homers into the Second Deck

Team Canada was coming back to make this a ballgame. After getting a run back from Team USA’s bullpen, catcher Bo Naylor stepped up to the plate with a runner on first and two outs against Gabe Spier and provided Canada with the biggest hit of their night.

Naylor with a 2-run shot for Canada and we have ourselves a game! ?

?: FOX pic.twitter.com/ba9C27jpBq

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 14, 2026

Naylor took Speier’s 2-2 slider on the inside corner and hit it 404 feet into the second deck of Dalkin Park to pull Canada within two runs heading to the later innings. It gave Team Canada a sense of confidence knowing it could only have taken a bloop and a blast to tie the game against some of the best relievers in baseball, but that was not their destiny.

2. David Bednar Strikes Out Tyler O’Neil

After Bo Naylor’s home run, Team USA was looking for a lockdown inning, and they went to Yankees closer David Bednar. He allowed two infield singles to lead off the inning, and then catcher Cal Raleigh, who has struggled in the WBC, committed a passed ball error to put two runners in scoring position with no outs.

The MVP in this one has to be David Bednar. He clutched up with the tying runs in scoring position with no outs and did not allow a run.

NAILS pic.twitter.com/9Y7i3sUcwz

— Matthew Nethercott (@bymnethercott) March 14, 2026

He then proceeded to get Josh Naylor to pop out to third and Tyler O’Neil and Owen Cassie to strike out to end the inning. Those were the last two baserunners of the game for Canada (thanks in part to a large strike zone from home plate umpire Bill Miller)

1. Alex Bregman Reaches on an Infield Hit/E5

Team USA loaded the bases with two outs for Alex Bregman, who had played most of his career in Houston. Bregman put the ball in play to make the defense make a play. They tried, but couldn't. 

Ball in play, good things happen. Bregman grounds one to the left side and the ball is thrown away.

Two runs scored.

3-0 ?? pic.twitter.com/eYBFzyYZYj

— Matthew Nethercott (@bymnethercott) March 14, 2026

Bregman grounded a ball in the 5-6 hole, gobbled up by Abraham Toro. He threw what looked like a changeup over Josh Naylor's head at first, and two runs scored. In games this competitive with a do-or-die aspect, every play needs to be made. This one was the difference between a solo home run, tying the game, or needing to string a big rally together.

Next:

Team USA will move on to Miami and play in the semi-finals on Sunday. They will play Team Dominican Republic in a true star-studded matchup. Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will get the start for Team USA. Team Dominican Republic will be starting Luis Severino.

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[Pykkman]

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