The 2026 World Baseball Classic reaches its climax on Tuesday night as Team USA takes on Venezuela in the championship game at loanDepot Park in Miami, with first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX. It is a matchup loaded with MLB star power on both sides, and for Venezuela, it represents a historic first appearance in the WBC final.

Team USA punched their ticket to the title game with a tense 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic in Sunday's semifinal. Baltimore Orioles standout Gunnar Henderson and Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony each launched solo home runs to provide all the offense the Americans would need. The U.S. pitching staff was superb, holding a dangerous Dominican lineup that featured some of the game's most feared hitters to just one run, a solo shot by Junior Caminero. The final out, however, was not without controversy, as Dominican players expressed frustration over a called strike three to end the game, with one player telling reporters he "knew 100 percent it was a ball."

Venezuela's path to the final was perhaps even more dramatic. Trailing Italy 2-1 heading into the seventh inning of Monday's semifinal, Venezuela erupted for three runs to seize a 4-2 lead they would not relinquish. The rally began with two outs when the Venezuelan bats came alive, stringing together four consecutive hits. Ronald Acuna Jr. scored the tying run from third base, and Maikel Garcia lined a clutch single to left field to drive in the go-ahead run. The comeback stunned a spirited Italian squad that had been the tournament's surprise story, and sent the sellout crowd of 35,382 at loanDepot Park into a frenzy.

For Tuesday's championship, USA manager Mark DeRosa will hand the ball to New York Mets starter Nolan McLean, hoping the young right-hander can deliver on the biggest stage. The American lineup is stacked with All-Stars, led by New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr., and Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, along with the red-hot Henderson and Anthony.

Venezuela counters with a lineup that is every bit as dangerous. Acuna Jr. mans right field, while Luis Arraez anchors first base with his elite contact skills. Ezequiel Tovar provides Gold Glove defense at shortstop, Gleyber Torres handles second base, and the young Jackson Chourio patrols center field. William Contreras will handle the catching duties.

The betting market reflects the perceived gap between the two sides, with FanDuel listing Team USA as a heavy favorite at -320 odds, while Venezuela sits at +210. But if the tournament has taught us anything, it is that Venezuela thrives as an underdog and possesses the kind of fearless, come-from-behind mentality that makes them a dangerous opponent in a single-game format.

Team USA is seeking its first World Baseball Classic title since 2017, when they won the tournament for the first and only time. A victory would reaffirm American dominance in the sport it invented, while a Venezuelan triumph would be one of the greatest achievements in that baseball-mad nation's history.

Tuesday night in Miami promises to be an unforgettable spectacle, with two proud baseball nations leaving everything on the field for the right to be called world champions.