Every three years, MLB players set their divisions aside to represent their countries in a two-week tournament where the best nation wins it all. The World Baseball Classic is full of epic moments. It is a time when fierce rivals suddenly wear the same jersey and fight for the same flag. Fans who normally root against certain players now find themselves cheering for the same team. Yet the line is thin. You want your country to win, but part of you still hopes your biggest rival isn’t the one who delivers the iconic moment.

Unfortunately, as a Mets fan the line is thin when I want USA to win but I also don’t want my biggest rival to have his star moment. It is a little hard when your rival is the Yankees Aaron Judge. Although I am not a fan but any means of the Yankees, the game last night could have been very different if not for the man from the Bronx.

The USA World Baseball Classic team is by far the most impactful WBC USA team it has ever had since its conception in 2006. Since then, the USA has gone through a variety of teams, but none have come close to the level of insanity of 2026. Just to name a few players the USA has on their team: a 3* MVP and constant 50 home run player, the 2026 home run leader in Cal Raleigh, one of the best DHs in the game in Kyle Schwarber, a 21-year-old Roman Anthony, and the greatest start to a pitching career in Paul Skenes. Just to name a few, but this team is beyond loaded; there is no excuse not to win it all. If they do not win the tournament, then it is an utter failure.

Last night was their second game of the tournament where they teed off against Team Mexico, led by Randy Arozarena, Jarren Duran, and Alejandro Kirk. Team Mexico had beaten the USA in the last three WBC matches, but history was going to be rewritten.

Paul Skenes not only shoved last night, he proved why he belonged in the WBC and put America on his back with the game he had. Only pitching 4 innings in the game, he allowed only one hit and 1 BB while striking out 7.

In between Skenes’ start, the captain of the team, Aaron Judge, hit a mammoth two-run blast to break the score in the game and give America a 2-0 lead. But that was not all; the game also featured young 21-year-old phenom Roman Anthony pushing the score even more with a three-run moonshot, giving the USA a comfortable lead at 5-0. Two of the most historic rivals in the league, the Red Sox and Yankees, came together and brought all the runs to push them over the edge and win against Mexico. It is the one time both these American League East beasts came together and rooted for the same team.

Not to mention, the amazing outfield asset Judge had in the game, taking out Joey Ortiz at third base. If not for Judge’s rocket of an arm, the final score of 5-3 could have been very different if Judge’s throw hadn’t been perfect to the tee.

The final score was 5-3, but if it hadn’t been for Jarren Duran’s two-run home run and Joey Meneses’ pinch hit, the USA would have faced a blowout against Mexico. What an epic feat between two great countries, both tied at 2-0. Just as it was predicted, Team USA went ahead and emerged victorious.

Tonight is the third game for Team USA, led by Mets pitcher Nolan McLean. He looks to defeat Team Italy tonight and clinch a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic!

Let the games begin!