The U.S. bullpen held off the Dominican Republic by a score of 2-1, with the game ending on a questionable called strike three.

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Seiya Suzuki was back at spring training with the Chicago Cubs on Monday and went for an MRI on his right knee that he injured while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

After sweeping through Pool C with a 4-0 record, Japan will take on Venezuela in the quarterfinals. Shohei Ohtani and Samurai Japan are the favorites to advance, but these odds are tighter than expected at -162 odds for the chalk and +134 for the South American underdogs.

Japan enters the quarterfinals having gone a perfect 4-0 in Pool C in Tokyo. Despite Venezuela's strength, a loss in this round would have to be considered a letdown for the three-time champions, who are hoping to go back-to-back for the first time since winning the first two Classics in 2006 and ‘09.

Puerto Rico squares off with Italy in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Saturday in Houston.