Skenes Slays Dominican Sluggers & Team USA Will Be Heading To The WBC Finals

Young Horn
3 minutes ago
3 min read

If anyone was wondering whether USA vs Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball

Classic semifinal would live up to the hype…

The answer is yes.

This game has had everything.

Elite pitching.

Moonshot home runs.

Defensive wizardry.

And the kind of tension that makes international baseball feel like October.

As we head into the bottom of the 9th inning, Team USA leads 2–1, with Mason Miller on the mound trying to slam the door and send the Americans to the WBC final.

And the entire night has felt like a heavyweight fight.

Paul Skenes Looked Every Bit the Ace

The stage couldn’t have been bigger for Paul Skenes.

Facing arguably the most explosive offense in the tournament, the American ace came out throwing absolute gas.

The Dominican lineup finally broke through in the second inning when Junior Caminero launched a solo home run, giving the Dominican Republic an early 1–0 lead.

But after that?

Skenes settled in.

He attacked hitters with triple-digit fastballs and sharp breaking stuff, navigating a dangerous Dominican lineup filled with stars like Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

His biggest moment came in the fourth inning, when he worked himself out of a jam and kept the game from spiraling.

Against a lineup like the Dominican Republic’s, those moments matter.

Team USA Strikes Back With Back-to-Back Bombs

The Americans responded in the fourth inning, and they did it the way Team USA has done most of its damage in this tournament.

With the long ball.

First it was Gunnar Henderson, who launched a solo shot to tie the game.

Then moments later came one of the biggest swings of the night.

Roman Anthony — the future face of the Boston Red Sox — crushed another solo homer, giving Team USA a 2–1 lead.

In a game where runs are at a premium, those two swings changed everything.

Aaron Judge Is Playing Like a Captain

If there’s been one player setting the tone defensively tonight, it’s Aaron Judge.

Early in the game, Judge delivered one of the defensive plays of the tournament.

Fernando Tatis Jr. tried to stretch a play into a triple, but Judge unleashed an absolute seed from the outfield, gunning him down at third base.

It was the type of moment that can swing momentum in a postseason-style game.

And later in the night Judge nearly added a highlight on the other side.

He absolutely crushed a ball that looked destined to leave the yard, only to be robbed by an incredible leaping grab from Julio Rodríguez in center field.

This game has had a little bit of everything.

The Bullpen Has Done Its Job

After Skenes handed the game over, the American bullpen has been sharp.

Relievers have managed to keep the Dominican lineup off the board despite constant pressure from one of the most talented offenses in the tournament.

That’s no small feat considering the Dominican Republic entered the game with one of the most explosive offenses in the entire WBC.

Now It Comes Down to Mason Miller

And now here we are.

Bottom of the 9th.

Team USA leading 2–1.

Mason Miller on the mound.

Comes into the game up 1, and starts chucking 102mph and telling hitters to beat me. After walking Julio Rodriguez, a passed ball and a ground out to short. Miller has 2 outs and Rodriguez on third to close this game out. AND STRIKE 3!!! USA will be heading to the WBC Finals!!