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

The United States has started the 2026 World Baseball Classic 3-0 and has just one pool play game left. 

Team USA is coming off a 5-3 win over Mexico in its toughest game yet. The United States will finish its first round games by taking on Italy at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 10. 

A win would put the United States at 4-0 and would automatically qualify them for the knockout stage. Italy, on the other hand, is playing in just its third game of the pool play stage and has one more game against Mexico on Wednesday. Currently, Team Italy is undefeated in its two games, and a win over the U.S. could be an extremely important tiebreaker, depending on how its game against Mexico goes. 

Here is more on how the United States will line up for its final pool-play game against Italy. 

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USA baseball lineup vs. Italy

United States manager Mark DeRosa used different lineups for the team's first and second games of the 2026 WBC. After a day off, the U.S. played a tough game against Mexico, and DeRosa opted to go with the Game 1 lineup. Will he run it back for the final pool play game? Or will DeRosa go with the Game 2 lineup to get different players some game action before the knockout stage? 

Here is how the U.S. lined up in the Game 3 win over Mexico.

Witt was solid in the leadoff spot against Mexico, tallying two hits and a walk in five plate appearances. Judge continued being Captain America, launching a two-run home run in the third inning. Anthony showed just why Boston Red Sox fans are so excited about him this year after sending a ball over the fence in right-center. 

Raleigh will likely be replaced by Will Smith. DeRosa has alternated catchers through three games, but the Seattle Mariners slugger also went 0-3 at the plate against Mexico with three strikeouts. Harper also struggled at the plate, going 1-5 with three punchouts. 

Who is the United States' starting pitcher?

Team USA hasn't announced its official starter against Italy. Before the 2026 WBC, the projected pitching order from DeRosa was Logan Webb for Game 1, Tarik Skubal for Game 2, Paul Skenes for Game 3 and Nolan McLean for Game 4. So far, the first three games have been right, so McLean figures to be penciled in as the Game 4 starter against Italy.

The New York Mets pitcher has yet to throw in the 2026 WBC. He made eight starts in 2025 and had a 5-1 record with a 2.06 ERA. McLean figures to be the anchor of the Mets' rotation in 2025 and is not only New York's top prospect, but the No. 6 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com. 

Also, with Skubal leaving Team USA to focus on the upcoming season, McLean is also projected to start the WBC championship, if the U.S. makes it there. 

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• Ranking the World Baseball Classic teams from best to worst

Who is Italy's starting pitcher?

Italy has yet to announce its starter for the pool-play game against the United States. They have options to turn to, but the most likely are either Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola or Colorado Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen. The latter would be an exciting option because Lorenzen is one of the pitchers who used to love hitting in the NL before the universal DH rule, so there is an outside chance that he will get to pitch and DH in the WBC if he starts, though not likely. 

Nola struggled heavily in 2025. He made 17 starts, but finished with a 5-10 record and a career-worst 6.01 ERA. Lorenzen spent the 2025 season with the Kansas City Royals. He appeared in 27 games, making 26 starts. Lorenzen finished with a 7-11 record with a 4.64 ERA. 

MORE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2026:

• The biggest differences between WBC vs. MLB
• How many innings in World Baseball Classic games?
• Why WBC games can end early with mercy rule
• How qualifying, pool play, standings and more work in the WBC

USA World Baseball Classic roster

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Infielders

Outfielders

Designated Hitter