USA Baseball Stuns Fans Ahead of 2026 World Baseball Classic: Roster Surprises, Game Times & How to Watch

HOUSTON – Team USA storms into the 2026 World Baseball Classic tonight looking to erase the sting of its 2023 runner-up finish and recapture a crown it last lifted in 2017. The Americans open Pool B play at the brand-new Daikin Park against underdog Brazil at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, with Giants ace Logan Webb taking the mound for the red, white and blue. Star power fuels the buzz around USA Baseball. Manager Mark DeRosa’s projected lineup features Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop, Bryce Harper making a rare start at first, and perennial MVP candidate Aaron Judge in right field. Slugger Kyle Schwarber slots in as the designated hitter, while Alex Bregman and switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh add more thunder in the heart of the order. Webb headlines a loaded pitching staff that also boasts 2025 NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and strikeout machine Mason Miller. Brazil, back in the Classic for the first time since 2013, counters with right-hander Bo Takahashi and a roster sprinkled with familiar baseball surnames such as Dante Bichette Jr. and Lucas Ramírez – sons of former MLB All-Stars. The South Americans are still hunting for their first WBC victory, but they showed grit in last year’s qualifiers behind infielder Leonardo Reginatto, whose late-inning heroics twice kept their tournament hopes alive. For U.S. fans, tonight’s matchup is more than a tune-up. Pool B also includes Great Britain, Mexico and Italy, so every run matters toward potential tiebreakers. With Japan and superstar Shohei Ohtani already flexing in Pool A, the Americans know a statement win could set the tone for a deep title run. Key storylines to watch 1. Houston homecoming: Local favorite Alex Bregman returns to his college city, aiming to add international hardware to a résumé that already includes two World Series rings. Expect a partisan roar whenever the third baseman steps in. 2. Power parade: Harper, Judge and Schwarber combined for 133 regular-season home runs in 2025. The short left-field porch at Daikin Park could make tonight a fireworks show. 3. Pitch-count chess: WBC rules cap starters at 65 pitches in the opener, so bullpen depth – featuring Clay Holmes, David Bednar and veteran Clayton Kershaw – could decide the late innings. How to watch and stream Television: FOX (national) Streaming: FOX Sports app (U.S. only) Radio: Free English-language audio stream via worldbaseballclassic.com Search interest in “USA Baseball,” “Team USA roster,” and “World Baseball Classic Houston” has surged all week, underscoring nationwide appetite for international hardball. A convincing victory over Brazil would keep that momentum rolling and position the U.S. as the tournament’s team to beat.