MLB

Team USA brought its most loaded roster ever to baseball’s premier international event, but the Americans lost their second straight WBC final after winning the championship in 2017.

Eugenio Suarez’s double gave Venezuela the go-ahead run in the ninth inning.

John Smoltz discusses all things World Baseball Classic, detailing why "the intensity and the passion" has increased this year, how the U.S. built their roster, if the tournament should be during the MLB season and more.

U.S. captain Aaron Judge’s controlled composure has filtered through the clubhouse ahead of the final against Venezuela. That’s not to say the Americans don’t appreciate the theatrics of Latin stars such as Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Venezuela overcame a 2-0, fourth-inning deficit to reach its first WBC final.

On a night when All-Stars and future Hall of Famers thrilled fans and each other until the final out, Aaron Judge proclaimed the World Baseball Classic had grown into the sport’s biggest event.

Paul Skenes dominated the Dominican Republic’s lineup of All-Stars for 4 1/3 innings in the America’s 2-1 semifinal victory.

MLB and the union also are preparing for the start of bargaining in April or May for a labor contract to replace the current five-year agreement that expires Dec. 1. A management lockout is expected to start Dec. 2.

A win over the Dominican Republic has sent the USA to the finals.

Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony homered and the United States limited the Dominican Republic’s electric offense to win a thrilling semifinal 2-1 and move one win from capturing its second World Baseball Classic championship.