USA 9, Great Britain 1: How U.S. Fought Off Slow Start to Stay Undefeated in WBC

It took a while—probably too long—but Team USA’s bats finally heated up Saturday night.

One pitch into the World Baseball Classic tilt between the U.S. and Great Britain at Daikin Park, and Team USA found itself in unfamiliar territory. Back-to-back AL Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal allowed a leadoff homer to Great Britain’s Nate Eaton for an early 1–0 deficit. The score stayed put at 1–0 until the U.S. finally got its offense in a groove in the fifth inning.

Five runs in the fifth inning, three in the sixth and another in the seventh for good measure later, Team USA cruised to a 9–1 win, its second blowout victory in as many nights to claim first place in Pool B at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Here are three things we learned on Saturday night:

Was this truly the last we’ll see of Tarik Skubal at the WBC?

The plan heading into Friday night was for Skubal to start against Great Britain for one lone World Baseball Classic appearance, and then he’d head back to the Tigers’ spring training facility shortly thereafter. That’s probably still the plan, but it is worth noting Skubal didn’t exactly rule out the possibility of another WBC appearance.

Speaking with Fox Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal after his start, Skubal was asked if he might pitch again as the U.S. continues its WBC schedule.

“That’s a tough question right now,” Skubal said. “Probably won’t answer that one right now.”

It’s not a “yes” ... but it’s also not a “no.” Skubal, who will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season, has $500 million reasons to not pitch again in the WBC.

One error completely changed the game

Team USA was never really in danger of losing to Great Britain, but it didn’t look great early on.

With Skubal giving up a homer on the first pitch of the game and Trayce Thompson robbing Will Smith of a home run with a great catch at the wall in the second inning, the game had the makings of a potential shocking upset.

That all changed with one error in the fifth inning.

With one out, U.S. second baseman Ernie Clement hit a routine ground ball that looked like an easy second out. But Team GB third baseman Ivan Johnson committed a throwing error, allowing Clement to reach first base.

That’s all Team USA needed. Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled, and Kyle Schwarber homered to give the U.S. its first lead of the game at 3–1—and they never looked back.

Kyle Schwarber comes up big for Team USA 😤

(via @WBCBaseball) pic.twitter.com/CVgVnlA9xU
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 8, 2026

Get your popcorn out: Team USA vs. Mexico 🍿

The U.S. has enjoyed two easier tune-up games against Brazil and Great Britain the past two nights, but now the real fun begins.

Team USA (2–0) will take on Mexico (1–0) at 8 p.m. ET Monday at Daikin Field. Mexico has beaten the U.S. three times in the last four World Baseball Classic events, including an 11-5 win in 2023.

Mexico handily defeated Great Britain 8–2 on Friday night and will take on Brazil on Sunday, meaning both teams likely will be 2–0 when they meet in the pool play round.

Paul Skenes will take the bump for Team USA.

For more, catch up on Sports Illustrated’s live blog from Game 2 of Team USA’s Pool B slate: