Is there a ghost runner when World Baseball Classic games go to extra innings?

If Mexico beats Italy on Wednesday, there would be a three-way tie atop Pool B. Team USA can advance if it wins a tiebreaker. Team USA, Mexico and Italy would all finish 3-1 overall and 1-1 against each other. This is where the complicated World Baseball Classic tiebreaker rules come into play.

As the 2026 World Baseball Classic kicks off, the tournament continues to prove that national representation is about more than just a birthplace on a map. While fans are used to seeing players suit up for their home countries,

The WBC has adopted plenty of rule changes from MLB over the last couple of tournaments, but not everything will be the same for American fans.

This year's World Baseball Classic features players representing their native countries, but there are also a handful of American-born players representing other squads.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be played under the Official Rules of Major League Baseball. All Tournament games shall be played according to the provisions of the 2025 Official Baseball Rules,

South Korea managed to beat Australia in both teams' final Pool C game of the World Baseball Classic on Monday morning.

Pitching will look a little different during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Team USA's loss to Italy puts it in a precarious position, awaiting the Mexico-Italy result.