USA vs Brazil Preview & Prediction | 2026 World Baseball Classic | Pool Stage

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The favourites to win it all in Miami later this month, USA and their star-studded team led Aaron Judge take to the field for their first game in Pool B with Logan Webb on the mound against Brazil.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Fox Sports / Japan – Netflix Japan

How to watch online: UK – Not streamed / USA – Fox ONE / Japan – Netflix Japan

USA vs Brazil prediction

No doubt stung by their defeat to Japan in the 2023 final, USA baseball and manager Mark DeRosa have gone all out to ensure that this year, they are the ones lifting the trophy at the end. DeRosa has assembled an avengers like roster of the best players ‘America’s Pastime’ can offer, many of whom didn’t feature three years ago, but were captivated by what they saw and are all in to win gold in 2026. 

Whether it be the reigning American League and National League CY Young winning pitchers Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, infield phenom Bobby Witt Jr, 60-home-run catcher Cal Raleigh, 104mph closer Mason Miller, or American League MVP and USA skipper Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, everywhere you look among this USA squad, there are superstars, future Hall of Famers and some of the greatest players the game has to offer. 

But that doesn’t guarantee them success and they’ll need to put it all together in a short period of time with the competition fierce from the likes of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and reigning champions Japan, although USA’s exhibition performances prior to this first pool play fixture bodes well, with 29 runs scored across just two games.

Team USA’s biggest weakness in 2023 was the pitching staff, particularly the starters. That has been rectified this time around with the likes of Skenes, Skubal and Logan Webb all set to pitch. San Francisco Giants starter Webb takes to the bump against Brazil and should shut down an offence with little depth or star power. On the pitching side, it could be a long evening for the Brazilians when taking into account the incredible offensive power that USA have to offer. If Judge won’t get you, Harper could. If Witt Jr won’t get you, Schwarber could and if Schwarber won’t get you, Alex Bregman could. Expect lots of runs here from team USA and an emphatic victory to begin the tournament.

USA vs Brazil tip: USA to win with -7.5 run handicap