It is not quite midnight yet for Italy’s Cinderella run at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Thanks to Saturday’s 8-6 win over Puerto Rico in the quarterfinal, Italy has advanced to the semifinal of the tournament for the first time ever.
Italy showed a different skillset on Saturday
While most of Italy’s success in the tournament has been the result of power and knocking the ball out of the park, Saturday’s win was a dramatically different approach.
Even though they scored eight runs and chased Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo in the first inning, it was more of a small-ball type of approach.
They had just two extra base hits (both doubles), drew eight walks, stole five bases and went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position. It was a fundamental, clutch, and just overall strong approach, and an example that this team is capable of winning games in a variety of ways.
Winning games is also all it has done so far in the tournament.
With Saturday’s victory the Italian team is 5-0 in the tournament, having outscored its opponents by a 40-17 margin. That includes wins that would have to be considered major upsets against the United States, Mexico and now Puerto Rico.
While there is a Major League presence on this roster with players like Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone and Aaron Nola, it does not have the depth or star power of some of the other top teams in the tournament. The competition is only going to get tougher in the semifinal and a potential championship game, but the fact they are even in this position makes them the biggest surprise of the tournament.
The tournament began with 20 teams. There is almost nobody that would have Italy as one of the final four teams standing in the semifinals.
Coming into this year’s tournament Italy had managed only a 7-13 combined record with 98 total runs at the previous five World Baseball Classics. It already has five wins and 40 total runs so far this year. That is a huge step forward.