World Baseball Classic Day 3: Chinese Taipei erupt for big sixth inning against Czechia
The 2026 World Baseball Classic moves into Day 3 with pool play continuing across the tournament’s four host cities in Tokyo, San Juan, Miami and Houston.
After the action on Day 1 and Day 2, the round-robin stage gathers momentum as teams begin to settle into the rhythm of the competition with games unfolding across multiple time zones. With the tournament now fully underway, every result starts to shape the early race for the knockout rounds.
World Baseball Classic Day 3
| Chinese Taipei-Czechia | PLAY BY PLAY | BOX SCORE |
| Korea-Japan | | BOX SCORE |
| Colombia-Canada | | BOX SCORE |
| Nicaragua-Netherlands | | BOX SCORE |
| Brazil-Italy | | BOX SCORE |
| Panama-Puerto Rico | | BOX SCORE |
| Israel-Venezuela | | BOX SCORE |
| Great Britain-USA | | BOX SCORE |
GROUP C GAMES
Chinese Taipei-Czechia
Chinese Taipei and Czechia start the day with both teams seeking their first win after starting Group C with two losses. Ranked No. 2 in the WBSC World Rankings and champions of the 2024 Premier12, Chinese Taipei entered the tournament among the favourites but now face early pressure to stay in contention. Czechia, ranked No. 15 and appearing in their second consecutive World Baseball Classic, will look to turn a competitive start into their first victory.
Chinese Taipei wasted no time setting the tone at the Tokyo Dome. Tsung-Che Cheng opened the game with a bunt single and later advanced to third during an aggressive double steal that also brought the first run home following a throwing error by catcher Martin Cervenka.
With runners in scoring position, Yu Chang delivered the key hit of the inning, grounding a single to left field to score Stuart Fairchild and extend the lead to 2-0. Czechia pitcher Jan Novak limited further damage with two strikeouts to close the frame, but Chinese Taipei had already seized early momentum.
Chinese Taipei added a major blow in the second inning when Stuart Fairchild launched a grand slam to left-center field to extend their lead 6-0.
The rally began after two quick outs as Chen-Wei Chen lined a single to right and stole second base. Walks to Tsung-Che Cheng and Cheng-Hui Sung loaded the bases, and a passed ball by catcher Martin Cervenka moved the runners up. Fairchild then capitalised, driving the ball deep to left-center to bring home four runs and extend Chinese Taipei’s advantage before Yu Chang lined out to center to end the inning.
Chinese Taipei continued to build on their early momentum after Stuart Fairchild’s two-out grand slam broke the game open in the second inning, the Czechia pitching staff briefly slowed the pace with scoreless frames in the second and third.
The pressure returned in the fourth. Tsung-Che Cheng worked a walk and stole second before advancing to third as Chinese Taipei remained aggressive on the bases. After Czechia intentionally walked Fairchild, both runners moved up on a double steal to set up another scoring opportunity.
Yu Chang delivered again, lining a single to center field that brought home Cheng and Fairchild to extend Chinese Taipei’s lead to 8-0.
Chinese Taipei kept the pressure on after the early surge. Lyle Lin doubled in the fifth inning and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Chen-Wei Chen. In the sixth, Stuart Fairchild walked, stole second base and came home when Yu Chang lined a single to right field, stretching Chinese Taipei’s lead to 10-0.
After Kungkuan Giljegiljaw and Lyle Lin were hit by pitches and a wild pitch advanced the runners, Cheng-Yu Chang drew a bases-loaded walk that forced Yu Chang home to make it 11-0. Moments later, Chen-Wei Chen lined a two-run double to center field, scoring Giljegiljaw and Lin. The rally continued when Tsung-Che Cheng grounded out to first, allowing Cheng-Yu Chang to score and extend Chinese Taipei’s lead to 14-0.
Korea-Japan
Attention then shifts to one of the standout matchups of the early tournament as hosts Japan meet Korea with both teams holding a 1-0 record. Japan, the world’s No. 1 team, are defending World Baseball Classic champions and Olympic gold medallists from Tokyo 2020. Korea, ranked No. 4, bring a strong international pedigree that includes a runner-up finish at the 2009 World Baseball Classic and Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008.
Looking ahead to Day 4
The World Baseball Classic continues to gather pace on Day 4, with crucial group-stage matchups taking place across all four host cities as teams begin to shape the standings in each group.
In Tokyo, Group C resumes with Chinese Taipei facing Korea before Australia take on defending champions Japan, a matchup that could play an important role in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
In San Juan, Group A continues with Colombia meeting Cuba before Canada face Panama, as the race for the top two spots begins to tighten in Puerto Rico.
Meanwhile in Miami, Group D delivers two key clashes as Israel play Venezuela before the Netherlands meet the Dominican Republic, with several of the group’s heavyweights already beginning to separate themselves in the standings.
Finally in Houston, Group B wraps up the day with Great Britain taking on Italy, before Brazil face Mexico in a late contest that could prove vital in the battle to advance from a group that also features the United States.
Group Previews
LA 2028 Qualification Process
The 2026 World Baseball Classic also forms part of the qualification pathway to LA28. The baseball tournament at the Olympic Games will feature six teams, and while USA is already qualified as host, the two highest-placed teams from the Americas at the World Baseball Classic will also earn quota places at the Olympic tournament.
Cover Photo: WBCI/MLB Photos by Getty Images