WBC 2026: Canada Beats Colombia 8-2 in Pool A at San Juan

Canada opened its 2026 World Baseball Classic run with an 8-2 win over Colombia in Pool A on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Owen Caissie (Marlins prospect) hit a two-run homer in the second to open the scoring—the ball landed inside a Canadian flag held by a fan also named Owen—and Michael Soroka set the tone with three solid innings on the mound. Manager Ernie Whitt said he was happy with the way the team played: "We grinded some at-bats out. Our pitchers threw strikes."

Colombia scratched scheduled starter Julio Teheran moments before the game with a right shoulder impingement and turned to Austin Bergner; Colombia stayed close until the eighth, when Canada pushed across four runs—Abraham Toro had a run-scoring triple and Bo Naylor an RBI single—to put the game away. Colombia dropped to 0-2 and entered the day 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position. The top two teams from Pool A advance to the quarterfinals in Houston (March 13–14). Canada faces Panama Sunday 7 p.m. ET (FS2); Colombia faces Cuba Sunday noon ET (FS2).

How the game unfolded

Caissie's second-inning homer gave Canada a lead it never relinquished. Soroka and five relievers held Colombia to two runs on six hits. Michael Arroyo (Mariners prospect) drove in Colombia's first run with a two-out RBI single in the third—Colombia had started the tournament with 11 straight scoreless innings.

The game remained close until the eighth, when Canada broke it open with four runs. Whitt said the win gives Canada momentum heading into Sunday against Panama; Colombia manager Jose Mosquera said the message is "we still have work to do" and that they want to compete. Canada is 1-0 in a pool that also includes Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Panama.

Pool A context and what's next

Pool A at Hiram Bithorn in San Juan is one of the most balanced groups in the 2026 WBC. Cuba, Puerto Rico, Canada, Colombia, and Panama are all in the mix. Canada's win puts them in the conversation for one of the two quarterfinal spots; Colombia faces a sizeable deficit and will need a strong result against Cuba to stay alive. Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who reaches Houston.

Names to watch for AthX

Owen Caissie (Marlins top prospect), Michael Soroka, Abraham Toro, and Bo Naylor (Guardians) are key names for Canada. Colombia features Gio Urshela and Michael Arroyo (Mariners prospect). 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 players on both rosters. 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 – Canada overpowers Colombia behind Caissie, Soroka; official WBC Pool A results. Fact-checked March 7, 2026.*