WBC 2026: Schwarber's Blast Sparks Huge Fifth as Team USA Beats Great Britain 9-1

Team USA won its second game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic by defeating Great Britain 9-1 in Pool B on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Daikin Park in Houston. Kyle Schwarber (Phillies)—moved into the leadoff spot for the game—hammered a tiebreaking home run in the fifth inning, sending an Andre Scrubb cutter 427 feet into the second deck in right to spark a five-run inning that carried the U.S. past the Brits. Gunnar Henderson added a clutch two-out, two-run double in the same frame. Manager Mark DeRosa said the emotional side is "what we're wearing across our chest: USA"; Schwarber said he was ready to "crush baseballs" whether leading off or batting fourth.

Tarik Skubal (back-to-back Cy Young winner) started for the U.S. but was ambushed on the first pitch by Nate Eaton's leadoff home run to left-center that put Great Britain on top. The U.S. didn't score through the first four innings—Trayce Thompson made a home run robbery against Will Smith reminiscent of great WBC catches—before Schwarber's blast turned the game around. Schwarber also homered against Great Britain in the 2023 Classic and now has a .727 slugging and 1.243 OPS in seven career WBC games. The 9-1 final sets up a marquee USA–Mexico matchup on Monday. The top two teams from Pool B advance to the quarterfinals in Miami (March 13–14). Team USA is 2-0; Great Britain is 0-2.

How the game unfolded

Great Britain took a 1-0 lead on Eaton's leadoff homer and held it into the fifth. Thompson's catch in the outfield kept the U.S. off the board and had the crowd of 34,368 on edge. Schwarber's 427-foot blast in the fifth brought the stadium to life and sparked the five-run outburst; Henderson's two-run double extended the lead.

Skubal settled down after the first pitch and looked like his dominant self; the bullpen preserved the 9-1 final. Schwarber stood stock still in the batter's box watching the ball fly, then broke into his trot and saluted his teammates and the fans. DeRosa said he hadn't forgotten USA's 11-5 loss to Mexico in pool play in 2023—Schwarber said he won't forget that game—and both are ready for Monday's rivalry rematch. Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who reaches Miami.

Pool B context and what's next

Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston features Team USA, Mexico, Great Britain, Italy, and Brazil. The USA–Mexico game on Monday is the most hyped matchup of the pool. Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who reaches Miami.

Names to watch for AthX

Kyle Schwarber (Phillies, reigning NL home run king with 56 in 2025) and Aaron Judge (Yankees, 53 HRs) have both homered for Team USA in the 2026 Classic. Gunnar Henderson, Tarik Skubal, Will Smith, and Bobby Witt Jr. are also key names. Great Britain has Nate Eaton, Trayce Thompson, and Harry Ford (Nationals). WBC performance does not affect dynamic pricing—AthX prices are driven by MLB performance—but a strong tournament can boost narrative and demand before Opening Day.

What It Means for AthX

WBC stats don't count in dynamic pricing; AthX share prices are based on MLB playing time and results. Still, WBC results can shape narrative and demand for USA stars like Schwarber and Judge. Use the WBC as a lead-in to see who's in form, then browse the marketplace to see how MLB players are valued on AthX.

*Sources: MLB.com – Schwarber's blast sparks huge 5th as Team USA routs Great Britain; official WBC Pool B results. Fact-checked March 7, 2026.*