MIAMI. — The Dominican Republic National Baseball Team begins its participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic this Friday, facing Nicaragua at loanDepot park in Miami, in a match corresponding to Group D of the tournament.
The match is scheduled for 7:00 PM (Eastern Time) and will be broadcast on FS2. The Dominican team arrives as one of the main favorites of the group, aiming to leave behind the early elimination suffered in the previous edition, seeking again the title of the prestigious international tournament.
Dominican with aspirations for the title
The team led by Albert Pujols will have a lineup full of Major League stars. Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez will be in charge of opening the game from the mound, a bet by the Dominican manager on a young arm that has shown consistency in major league baseball.
Dominican artillery ready to attack
The Dominican offensive will be led by high-caliber figures such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Manny Machado, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who are part of an offensive core considered among the most feared in the tournament.
Also noteworthy are names like Julio Rodríguez, Ketel Marte, and the young talent Junior Caminero, which gives depth to a lineup designed to produce runs from the first innings.
With several All-Star caliber players in the offensive lineup, the Dominican Republic will seek to impose its power from the start and make its mark in a group considered one of the most competitive in the tournament.
Nicaragua bets on surprise
For its part, Nicaragua arrives under the direction of the experienced Dusty Baker, who leads a team that combines youth with experienced players.
Among its main offensive pieces are Mark Vientos, Cheslor Cuthbert, and Ismael Munguía, while its pitching staff includes experienced arms like Erasmo Ramírez and JC Ramírez.
The Central American team will try to rely on its defense, speed, and pitching to stay in the game and try to surprise the Dominican team.
Probable Lineups
Dominican Republic
- Fernando Tatis Jr. — RF
- Juan Soto — LF
- Manny Machado — 3B
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — 1B
- Julio Rodríguez — CF
- Ketel Marte — 2B
- Junior Caminero — DH
- Agustín Ramírez — C
- Jeremy Peña — SS
- Cristopher Sánchez — P (starter)
Nicaragua
- Ismael Munguía — CF
- Jeter Downs — 2B
- Mark Vientos — 3B
- Cheslor Cuthbert — DH
- Freddy Zamora — SS
- Juan Diego Montes — RF
- Chase Dawson — LF
- Melvin Novoa — C
- Brandon Leyton — 1B
