The Dominican Republic faced the U.S. on March 15 in a semifinal matchup of the World Baseball Classic. 

It felt like these two teams were just destined to face off in this tournament, whether it was in the final or here, but one thing was for sure: This matchup was never going to disappoint.

The Dominican Republic rolled out Luis Severino in this win-or-go-home, and he came out absolutely dealing, getting out of the first with no damage. 

The U.S. rolled out the 2025 National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes for this game, as well as what will be the toughest lineup he has ever faced.

Skenes worked well through the first, but in the second inning, Junior Caminero, who has been a true standout in this tournament, hit a Skenes mistake pitch for a solo home run to put the Dominican Republic on top. 

Severino got into some trouble in the third but escaped it with a strikeout of Kyle Schwarber. 

Severino did more than enough to have a good outing, but Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols took his chance and left him out there for one more batter. 

It proved costly as Gunnar Henderson tied the game in the fourth. Pujols came right out and took Severino out. 

Gregory Soto would come into the game, and after getting Will Smith to line out, Roman Anthony hit a solo home run to put the U.S. on top, 2-1. 

Skenes kept getting in and out of trouble. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dominicans loaded the bases, but Austin Wells flew out to left. In the fifth, he got into more trouble with runners on second and first. 

That did it for Skenes for the night as reliever Tyler Rogers came in to force a Juan Soto double-play ball to end the inning. The Dominicans came back in the seventh after a Wells double, and Geraldo Perdomo’s single and steal set up Fernando Tatís Jr. for a big moment with two guys in scoring position. 

Tatís Jr. struck out in an ugly at-bat and Ketel Marte did the same, ending the Dominicans’ hopes in the seventh. In the ninth, they had another chance after Julio Rodríguez walked and got to second on a passed ball. 

Oneil Cruz stepped up and grounded out to second. It set up Perdomo for a chance to tie the game, but he struck out looking on a pitch that was way off the plate to send the U.S. to their third straight WBC final.

This game lived up to all the hype, and in the end, the U.S. pitching held down the Dominican Republic bats to advance.