USA baseball lineup vs. Canada: Updated batting order, starting pitchers for 2026 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal

Team USA lives to see another day — but only because they were thrown a lifeline.

After a shocking 8-6 loss to Italy left their World Baseball Classic hopes in the hands of others, the Americans were spared by the very team that beat them. Italy’s 9-1 dismantling of Mexico on Wednesday night officially punched Team USA’s ticket to the quarterfinals, narrowly avoiding what would have been a historic early exit for the defending silver medalists.

Now, the star-studded U.S. roster must regroup instantly for a high-stakes battle against Canada on Friday in Houston. This is no longer a group stage safety net; it’s a single-elimination collision where one more slip-up means an early flight home. The Canadians arrive with plenty of momentum, having secured the top seed in Pool A by edging out powerhouses like Puerto Rico and Cuba.

With the tournament officially in do-or-die mode, all eyes are on manager Mark DeRosa. After a controversial decision to rest key starters like Bryce Harper and Alex Bregman in the loss to Italy, the pressure is on the dugout to field a lineup that can back starter Logan Webb.

Here is everything you need to know about the United States' lineup and strategy as they prepare to face Canada in the quarterfinals.

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USA baseball lineup vs. Italy

With it's WBC fate on the line, Team USA is projected to go back to its regular starters. This is the lineup Mark DeRosa used for the team's opener against Brazil.

Who is the United States' starting pitcher?

Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants will make the start for Team USA. 

Webb started Team USA's first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic against Brazil, pitching 4.0 innings and striking out six while allowing only one hit and one run, which came on the home run by Lucas Ramirez.

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Who is Canada's starting pitcher?

Canada's starting pitcher will be Michael Soroka, as he's taking the mound for the quarterfinal clash in Houston.

With Cal Quantrill having just pitched five dominant innings in Wednesday's win over Cuba to clinch the pool, he will be unavailable due to tournament rest rules. Jameson Taillon and Soroka both started games early in the group stage and are fully rested for Friday’s do-or-die matchup. Manager Ernie Whitt also has veteran James Paxton available for length, as he provided 2.2 innings of relief against Cuba but remained under the pitch count threshold that would require extended rest.

MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026:

• The biggest differences between WBC vs. MLB
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• How qualifying, pool play, standings and more work in the WBC

USA World Baseball Classic roster

Pitchers

*Left WBC after pool play

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Designated Hitter