​Team USA and Venezuela needed to win low-scoring affairs to punch their tickets into Tuesday's World Baseball Classic final. However, Derek Jeter believes that the championship matchup might be a bit different. After the two winning sides scored a combined six runs in their semifinal victories, Jeter predicted that the USA-Venezuela matchup will be a high-scoring affair. "There's no easy outs in either lineup," Jeter said on FS1's postgame show following Venezuela's 4-2 win over Italy on Tuesday. "Every pitch is important. Sometimes when you're a pitcher and navigating through a lineup, you have a few guys where you're able to breathe. You fall behind, and you may be able to throw a ball over the plate. Neither side can do that. You're going to have to focus one through nine for nine innings. "I expect the offense to show up — I expect the offense to show up on both sides tomorrow night." Between the USA and Venezuela rosters, there are 20 All-Star hitters set to play in Tuesday's final. But the two teams haven't provided a ton of fireworks to this point. Venezuela has scored five or fewer runs in three of its first six games. The same goes for Team USA, which has scored just seven total runs in the knockout stage. So, with that in mind, David Ortiz is anticipating more of the same in Tuesday's final. "The pitching that I saw from the U.S. last night, and the pitching that I saw from Venezuela tonight, it's going to be a battle,' Ortiz said. "We always talk about good pitching going to stop good offense. If you look at it properly, both teams haven't been able to attack like everybody expect. It's going to be the battle of the pitching tomorrow. That's what I expect." What was key to helping the USA and Venezuela punch their tickets to the WBC final on Tuesday were strong performances from their respective bullpens. Team USA's bullpen didn't allow a run in over five innings of work in its semifinal win over the Domincan Republic. Venezuela's bullpen, meanwhile, didn't surrender a run in 7 ⅔ innings of work on Monday. That's why Alex Rodriguez believes it's vital for both teams to get out to an early lead in Tuesday's championship battle. "Whoever is going to win tomorrow night is going to have to do it early, because both bullpens are lights out," Rodriguez said. "The last nine outs aren't going to be fun either way. So, it's vital to be ahead in the first six innings." No matter what happens, though, Rodriguez expects the World Baseball Classic to live up to the hype. "This is going to be must-see TV," Rodriguez said. "I know we had the Oscars a couple of nights ago, but this is going to be like an Oscars because these teams have played the best, you're going to have stars all over the place and I cannot wait to think about tomorrow." Read More

​LoanDepot Park (Miami) – Under the bright lights of the home of the Miami Marlins, Team Venezuela finally broke through, outlasting a fearless Italy squad to punch their ticket to the World Baseball Classic championship game against the United States. Venezuela won, 4-2, in a thrilling come-from-behind victory on Monday night to reach the finals for the first time in the tournament's history. The clash between Venezuela’s star power and Italy’s Cinderella run turned into a tense and emotional battle. Italy was unbeaten entering the semifinal and quickly became one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Ultimately, Venezuela’s depth, timely hitting and home-field advantage proved decisive. For Venezuela, this was a statement. The baseball-obsessed nation is one step away from its first WBC title. Here are my takeaways: 1. The most electric infield hit, ever Trailing 2-1 in the seventh inning, Venezuela clawed back and took the lead by playing small ball. Their rally started with a terrific at-bat by second baseman Gleyber Torres, who eventually worked a leadoff walk against Italy right-hander Michael Lorenzen. Torres was replaced by the speedy infielder Andres Gimenez at first. Then things looked bleak after Lorenzen delivered back-to-back strikeouts against Wilyer Abreu, who was Venezuela’s hero in their quarterfinal against Japan, and William Contreras. This was their best opportunity yet to do some damage, and it was up to Jackson Chourio to give Venezuela life. After curiously going with a sacrifice bunt in his previous at-bat, Chourio this time laced a single to center field, bringing Ronald Acuna Jr. to the plate with runners on first and third. Acuna swung at the first pitch, sending a ground ball to shortstop Sam Antonacci, who vacuumed the ball on the grass. By the time he got on his feet and fired to first, Acuna beat the throw and tied the game at 2-2 with the most electric infield hit, ever. The crowd’s thunderous applause seemed to intimidate Lorenzen, who would’ve been out of the game if Italy had better arms in the bullpen. Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez followed Acuna with back-to-back RBI singles, giving Venezuela a 4-2 lead and never looking back. 2. Eugenio gets the crowd going The heavily pro-Venezuelan crowd at loanDepot Park was waiting to erupt all night. Yellow, blue and red flags were scattered around the stadium, with the Venezuelan population in the greater Miami area being one of the largest in the United States. It took four innings for Venezuela to put a run on the board, but when they finally did, the crowd went berserk. Slugger Eugenio Suarez barreled his second home run of the tournament, connecting on an 80 mph knuckle curve from Aaron Nola and sending it to the seats in left center field. Coordinated chants broke out inside the ballpark as Venezuela tried to rally with the crowd’s support. A few innings later, during Venezuela’s three-run seventh inning, the scene in Miami turned into complete pandemonium. The stands resembled a block party. The press box was shaking. It was the loudest the ballpark had been all tournament. 3. Italy’s pitching duo falls short These were the best arms Italy had to offer, and they still didn’t excel enough to hold down Venezuela’s deep and dynamic lineup. Nola started the do-or-die game, hoping he could go deep enough to pass the ball to Lorenzen and Italy could espresso-shot its way to the championship game against Team USA. While Nola was solid, with his only blemish being the solo shot he allowed to Suarez, he was removed after just 59 pitches and four innings. Next, it was up to Lorenzen to try and hold Italy’s tiny one-run lead, which meant that if the team had advanced to the final, it wouldn’t have a legitimate starter for the final on Tuesday. But that hardly mattered to Team Italy manager Francisco Cervelli. Italy had to get there first before it could worry about who would start. Alas, Lorenzen didn’t fare as well against Venezuela’s lineup as he did against the USA in the final game of pool play in Houston. He gave up three earned runs on four hits and allowed two walks in 2 ⅔ innings pitched. Venezuela gained the lead and the momentum, as Italy’s pitching plans fell through. 4. No espresso shots At the start of the WBC, Team Italy went viral for their creative idea of installing an espresso machine in the dugout. They brewed a fresh shot of espresso every time someone homered. Unfortunately for the Italians on Monday, no hitter in their lineup went yard against Venezuela’s strong pitching staff. The only two runs they scored both came in the second inning, driven in on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI forceout. Italy’s lineup and their espresso machine suffered a power outage in the semifinal, at the worst possible time. Italy is now 12-14 all-time in WBC play, including records of 1-2 in 2006; 1-2 in 2009; 2-3 in 2013; 1-3 in 2017; 2-3 in 2023; and 5-1 in 2026. The country gained prominence this year with an unforgettable and historic run in the tournament. "We are no longer the Cinderella," Cervelli said in a standing-room-only press conference after Italy's loss. "In three years, they will take us seriously." 4 ½. What's next? Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will take the mound for Venezuela in the championship game on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. He will go toe-to-toe against USA right-hander Nolan McLean. Venezuela is 2-3 all-time against the United States in the WBC. USA won the coin toss and elected to be the home team against Venezuela. Read More

​It’s true that NFL teams can’t win a championship in March. But sometimes a smart spending spree can at least lead to a better season — and the opposite is true, too. Which teams spent wisely in free agency and which teams didn’t might not be clear until the games actually start in September. However, the early reviews were enough to get us a new No. 1 in my updated power rankings. Another team also saw a good surge in the poll after adding a veteran quarterback. Let's take a closer look at my updated power rankings following the first week of free agency. Super Bowl odds: +30000 They brought in Gardner Minshew to compete at quarterback with Jacoby Brissett, running back Tyler Allgeier to split time in their backfield and Kendrick Bourne as a third receiver. Yeah, they’re all about that 2027 NFL Draft. Super Bowl odds: +15000 They gutted their offensive line, as expected, but rebuilding with guard Zion Johnson, offensive tackle Tytus Howard and center Elgton Jenkins is questionable, to say the least. Another receiver could’ve helped their young quarterbacks, too. Super Bowl odds: +20000 Their short-term flier on quarterback Malik Willis was necessary, because the rest of their offseason was one big fire sale. They have some pieces to remain somewhat competitive, but this is the start of a rebuild that could take a few years. Super Bowl odds: +20000 Geno Smith, the return, is a bad idea at quarterback, but they didn’t have a lot of good options. They upgraded their defense, though, with solid veterans like linebacker Demario Davis, edge rusher Joseph Ossai and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. And that’s important considering their offense is still going to stink. Super Bowl odds: +15000 They overpaid for center Tyler Linderbaum, but he may be worth it to them and their soon-to-be rookie QB, Fernando Mendoza. They upgraded their defense too, and added an underrated wide receiver in Jalen Nailor. And getting Maxx Crosby back is a nice consolation prize for a trade that went wrong. Super Bowl odds: +8000 They couldn’t afford any big swings, but they made a couple of moderate ones with guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne, who could emerge as a big upgrade over the declining Alvin Kamara. Super Bowl odds: +10000 The drunken sailors of this free agent market, their obsession with ex-Giants and Jets was weird (wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, tight end Daniel Bellinger, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers). All are solid players and will improve the team, though, if you can ignore the prices. Super Bowl odds: +6500 They went all in on quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, but it probably cost them wide receiver Michael Pittman, right tackle Braden Smith, and a handful of defensive players. And what if Jones isn’t ready or the same player? Their whole offseason was a very risky bet. Super Bowl odds: +3000 Jerry Jones promised to spend in free agency this time and … what, you believed him? He did keep wide receiver George Pickens. And maybe the trade for edge rusher Rashan Gary pays off. But their awful defense sure looks about the same. Super Bowl odds: +4500 It’ll be hard for them to get over the loss of wide receiver Mike Evans, one of the best and most consistent to ever do it. They made a nice pickup in linebacker Alex Anzalone, but the losses of Evans, running back Rachaad White and cornerback Jamel Dean sting. Super Bowl odds: +8000 They massively overpaid for edge rusher Jaelen Phillips, but he and linebacker Devin Lloyd will still help their defense. Losing center Cade Mays and running back Rico Dowdle, though, isn’t good news for a still-growing quarterback. Super Bowl odds: +7000 They upgraded a bit at linebacker (Tremaine Edmunds over Bobby Okereke) and got a bigger weapon for their slot (tight end Isaiah Likely over wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson). Mostly, though, they’re still counting on John Harbaugh getting the most out of what they already have. Super Bowl odds: +4500 They made some really nice upgrades with running back Rico Dowdle, wide receiver Michael Pittman and cornerback Jamel Dean. But it’s all about Aaron Rodgers here. If he returns, move them up a few spots. If he doesn’t, they have no quarterback and will sink like a rock. Super Bowl odds: +6500 All that cap space and they went for quantity over quality. They did make some nice additions on both sides — edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, cornerback Amik Robertson, linebacker Leo Chenal, tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White. But are any of them really difference-makers? Super Bowl odds: +11000 Laugh about Tua Tagovaiola if you want, but he’s an upgrade at QB (at a minimum salary) for a team with some strong offensive weapons (if he’s healthy, of course). They could’ve done better than adding wide receiver Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus, though. Super Bowl odds: +4500 Their offseason comes down to one thing: Does Kyler Murray at QB make them better? The answer should be yes, and that’s big for a team that went 9-8 and won their last five despite some pretty bad QB play. Super Bowl odds: +3000 Adding safety Bryan Cook would be a huge help to their defense, if only it didn’t come at the same time they lose Trey Hendrickson. Signing edge rusher Boye Mafe is worth a shot, but he’s a poor man’s replacement. Super Bowl odds: +1700 Call their offseason "Unfinished business." Their defense looks worse, losing linebacker Alex Anzalone and cornerback Amik Robertson. They downgraded at running backs, trading David Montgomery and signing Isaiah Pacheco. Their O-line rebuilding is still incomplete. They need some home runs on Draft Day. Super Bowl odds: +1400 They got better on defense with defensive tackle Javon Hargrove and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. They are counting on a lot of internal options, though, to replace their loss of top receiver Romeo Doubs and several players from their offensive line. Super Bowl odds: +1900 Getting 28-year-old running back David Montgomery gives them an interesting 1-2 punch in their backfield. But will he have room to run? Signing right tackle Braden Smith isn’t nearly enough to fix that offensive line. Super Bowl odds: +1500 The Chargers’ No. 1 offseason mission was clear: Find a better way to protect QB Justin Herbert. So, armed with plenty of cap space, they signed … center Tyler Biadasz and guard Cole Strange? Did they miss the memo? Super Bowl odds: +1500 If he stays healthy — a big "if" at his age — wide receiver Mike Evans could be a huge difference-maker for an offense that was way too dependent on running back Christian McCaffrey last season. And defensive tackle Owa Odighizua, acquired from the Cowboys, could give their pass rush the juice it lacked, too. Super Bowl odds: +1400 The twin departures of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Warren will sting, but wait until the world sees what that offense can do with a reliable running back like Kenneth Walker. Feels like we’ve been waiting to see that for years. Super Bowl odds: +2500 So much for all the good feelings the new regime built in one year in Jacksonville. They let their best rusher (Travis Etienne) and a Pro Bowl linebacker (Devin Lloyd) leave and it’s not clear how they’re going to replace them. Here’s a hint: It won’t be easy. Super Bowl odds: +2500 They lost a long list of players, but found mostly good replacements, like safety Cobe Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush and center Garrett Bradbury. The defense needed more, though, especially at edge rusher. Super Bowl odds: +1000 They salvaged things after pivoting to Trey Hendrickson once they backed out of the Maxx Crosby deal. Adding safety Jaylinn Hawkins was big, too. But they lost a lot of people, including center Tyler Linderbaum. That one will hurt. Super Bowl odds: +1600 An unusually quiet offseason for Howie Roseman so far. They tried to make a big splash at pass rusher, and may have tried to trade wide receiver A.J. Brown. But mostly they watched as a few important defensive players (safety Reed Blankenship, linebacker Nakobe Dean, edge rusher Jaelen Phillips) walked out the door. Super Bowl odds: +1900 They signed wide receiver Romeo Doubs, safety Kevin Byard and defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones, who are all upgrades over guys they let go. Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker could boost their line if he stays healthy. But their biggest issue remains a much harder schedule in 2026. Super Bowl odds: +1000 They finally went out and got Josh Allen a possible No. 1 receiver, trading for D.J. Moore, which could make their offense unstoppable. Signing edge rusher Bradley Chubb might be a steal, too, as long as he stays healthy. All the ingredients are in place for a Super Bowl run. Super Bowl odds: +1000 They are probably deep enough to withstand the losses of cornerback Riq Woolen, safety Coby Bryant and edge rusher Boye Mafe. But losing running back Kenneth Walker is going to hurt. It won’t be easy to replace the Super Bowl MVP. Super Bowl odds: +2000 They weren’t expecting to do much in free agency, and they didn’t disappoint. Losing defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers’ seven sacks isn’t great, but they should still have plenty of pass rush without him. Super Bowl odds: +800 They are loaded for a run and made sure of it by plugging their most gaping hole — their secondary. They acquired cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson — two huge additions considering their pass coverage kept them out of the Super Bowl last season. Read More