USA vs Venezuela prediction, World Baseball Classic championship picks

The 2026 World Baseball Classic champion will be decided on Tuesday night in Miami, with the United States and Venezuela facing off in the winner-take-all championship game.

Team USA lost in the 2023 title game against Japan after winning its only championship in 2017. Featuring some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball, Venezuela is in the final for the first time in history led by MVP outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.

Young right-hander Nolan McLean takes the mound for Team USA having made only eight MLB starts upon his debut for the New York Mets in 2025.

Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ MLB writers and editors see the championship game playing out:

USA vs Venezuela prediction, WBC picks

• Bob Nightengale: United States 8, Venezuela 3. – Team USA waited all tournament but its offense finally breaks out. Simply too much firepower for Venezuela to stop.
• Gabe Lacques: United States 8, Venezuela 6 – It’s a second title in the past three WBCs for Team USA, which methodically capitalizes on a Venezuela pitching staff that finally hits the wall.
• Steve Gardner: United States 5, Venezuela 2 – am USA avenges its painful loss in the 2023 final on the shoulders of Bobby Witt Jr., Aaron Judge and its lockdown bullpen. Taking full advantage of an extra day of rest, the U.S. pitching staff is sharp and able to limit the powerful Venezuelan attack to only two runs. Witt continues to dazzle in the field and Judge connects for his third homer of the tournament to give the Americans their second WBC title.
• Jesse Yomtov: United States 7, Venezuela 6 – The Americans overcome a big Ronald Acuña Jr. performance to win the 2026 WBC in a high-scoring affair in Miami. Bryce Harper hits his first home run of the tournament and Aaron Judge is named tournament MVP.