Like a shot of espresso, Italy jolts Team USA

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One, two to judge. He got him! He got him! Italy has done it!

The biggest win in Italian baseball history!

From MLB.com, this is the Morning lineup podcast. I'm your host, AJ Casabell.

It's Wednesday, March 11th and the 2026 World Baseball Classic has its first shocking upset, courtesy of Team Italy.

A day ago, the United States was 3 and 0. The Americans seemed to be cruising toward a place in the quarter finals.

And suddenly, they're on the brink of elimination no longer in control of their own destiny.

Team Italy pulled off an all-time stunner on Monday night, one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Baseball Classic.

The Italians ported on early and held on late for an 8-6 victory over Team USA.

So, what does it mean? What comes next? And what does the US need in order to advance to the quarter finals?

Let's get right to it!

I really want to give Italy its due. This was a remarkable performance against a Team USA juggernaut.

Michael Lorenzen was excellent. Kyle Teal before his injury had a huge night.

But we'll get to all of that in a moment. First, we need to reset pool B.

Italy is 3 and 0. The United States is 3 and 1. And Mexico is 2 and 1.

The top two teams from the group advance to the quarter finals.

And there's only one game left. Italy versus Mexico tonight in Houston.

The most straightforward outcome is an Italy victory. In that scenario, Italy wins the group.

The Americans finish second the courtesy of their victory over Mexico on Monday.

And both Italy and Team USA would advance. But if Mexico wins, then we've got the potential for some tiebreaker chaos.

In that scenario, all three teams would have identical 3 and 1 records.

The first tiebreaker, naturally, is head to head. But that's no use here.

They'd all be 1 and 1 against each other. The next tiebreaker runs allowed per defensive outs recorded.

But only in games between the tied teams. If that sounds complex, think of it this way.

The US did itself no favors by letting the Italians hang an 8 spot on them last night.

But they helped their cause by rallying for 6 runs of their own.

The United States is now allowed 11 runs in its first two games against Italy and Mexico.

That's way too many for the Americans to feel comfortable. Italy is allowed 6.

Mexico has allowed 5.

Long story short, if Mexico wins a low scoring game, the United States is in jeopardy of finishing third in the group and being eliminated from the tournament entirely.

If Mexico wins a high scoring game, then it might be time to get your calculators out.

And again, if Italy wins, Team USA advances no matter the score.

For the Americans, that is the best case scenario right now, even if it would mean a second place finish and theoretically a tougher match up in the quarter finals.

But right now, their fate is out of their control, and that, frankly, is stunning.

It is what it is, though. I mean, we gotta own it, right? Like, went out there today.

And like I said, we had right guys at the play at the right time.

Just couldn't push it across the team. I got a credit, Italy, man. They tacked on runs. They got a good team.

I mean, bottom line, they're running big leagues up there.

Michael Lorenzins had success in the big leagues against guys, so...

Yeah, frustrated, but I don't want to discredit what Italy did tonight.

Seriously, major credit goes to Team Italy after the biggest win in the country's baseball history.

Michael Lorenzins just signed with the Rockies to pitch his home games at Coorsfield, so you know that he's up for a challenge.

And he made life very difficult on this loaded Team USA lineup.

Lorenzins pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing only two hits without allowing a run.

In the meantime, the Italy offense mashed.

Kyle Teal went deep, now Teal would eventually exit with great hamstring discomfort,

which is obviously a blow for Team Italy, moving forward in the tournament.

Sam Antonacci, followed with a home run of his own, Jack Caglione, too.

After a three-run sixth, Italy led eight-nothing, but the Americans came storming back.

Number one, two-picks.

Fly to right field. Caglione's going back at the wall. Good-bye.

Not finished yet.

He's going strong. Three-run shot.

Fly ball right field. Pretty well hit. Caglione back. It's gone.

He hit another.

Team USA brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Greg Weissert struck out Gunnar Henderson and Aaron judged and the game.

And turned this entire tournament on its head.

When we return, we'll break down all the games coming up on the final day of pool play.

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I hope you didn't make any plans today.

If you think the world baseball classic has been good so far, well, you're not wrong.

It's been high stakes baseball all day and night in early March. And how awesome is that?

I still think today it has a chance to reach a different level.

It's the final day of pool play.

Five of the eight spots in the quarter finals are set.

Three more will be decided today. And we've got three games left.

Let's size it all up in chronological order.

The first game of the day doesn't need much explanation of the stakes.

It's Cuba versus Canada. They're both two in one.

The winner advances to the quarter finals and the loser is out.

Puerto Rico is already advanced for pool A, even with its three two lost to Canada last night.

Owen Casey starred in that one going two for three with a walk and with the win.

Canada ensured that if they win today, they'll finish his group winners with Puerto Rico second.

But they have to win first.

It'll be Cal Quantrill versus Levant Moinello.

Winner take all three PM Eastern time on FS2.

Next, it's that Italy Mexico showdown with major implications for Team USA.

For both Italy and Mexico, it'll be win and you're in.

That game is slated for seven PM Eastern on 2B.

And NOLA starts with Team Italy and Mexico hasn't named its starter yet.

But by the time you're listening to this, they might have.

So you should probably check the MLB app.

And then the nightcap.

Honestly, the group stage game we've all been waiting for.

The Dominican Republic is 3-0.

Venezuela is 3-0.

They both look like world beaters and their lineups are full of superstars.

Tatis, Soto, Machado, and Caminaro versus Acunia.

Arise, Salvi, and Ayuhenio.

The Alcantara starts for the DR.

Eduardo Rodriguez goes for Venezuela.

Both have already clinched their place in the quarterfinals.

But there's still an awful lot at stake here.

The winner of the group avoids a first round matchup with Japan, the reigning champions.

Here's Tatis on tonight's matchup, 8 PM Eastern on FS1.

Toughest test is going to come Wednesday against Venezuela.

What are you expecting from them?

And how loud is this crowd going to be?

It's going to be super loud and none's going to be one of the best game members.

And man, we're just looking for the challenge and they're going to get their best.

So we're definitely going to bring our best.

So that's three incredible pool play finales tonight.

The one pool that's already complete, that would be pool C and Tokyo.

For all intents and purposes, it was already settled even before yesterday's finale between Japan and Czechia.

Japan won the group.

South Korea also advanced courtesy of a wild three-way tiebreaker.

And Czechia was locked into its last place finish, even before Tuesday's game.

But this tournament seems to deliver no matter the stakes.

If you just caught the score, you probably guessed that Japan's 9-0 victory was straight forward.

Well, guess again.

Remember Czech baseball legend Andres Satoria, the electrical worker with the fastball in the high 70s,

who struck out Shohei Otoni at the 2023 classic?

He added to his WVC legend with 4 and 2-3 scoreless innings in his final start for the national team before his retirement.

The reigning champs were pushed to the brink by perhaps the tournament's biggest underdog.

They were all tied all the way into the eighth inning.

But in the end, Samurai Japan had too much firepower.

They took the lead on an error, extended that lead on Ukyo Shuto's home run,

and then Munitaka Morakami came to the plate with the bases loaded.

The 2-1 pitch.

Munitaka Morakami crushed deep right center.

Munitaka has this breakthrough moment in the middle of baseball classic.

That sealed a 4-0 pool play run for Japan,

and the Tokyo Dome was electric all week long.

Now, Japan is headed to Miami for the quarterfinals.

Who will they play?

Who else will join them there, and is the United States headed for a crushing pool play exit,

or a chance at redemption?

We'll find it all out later today.

And that's all for today's morning lineup.

As always, please leave us a rating and a review,

and share this episode with the baseball lovers in your life.

Enjoy your day!