WBC 2026: Judge's Homer Sets Tone in Team USA Blowout of Brazil
Team USA opened Pool B with a 15-5 win over Brazil on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Daikin Park in Houston. Aaron Judge (Yankees) hit a two-run homer off Bo Takahashi in the first inning to set the tone; Brice Turang (Brewers) added a bases-clearing double in the fifth that clanged off the left-field wall for a six-run lead. Brazil fought back with three home runs—Lucas Ramirez (son of Manny Ramirez) had two, including a leadoff homer off Logan Webb (10th leadoff homer in WBC history) and a 354-foot shot off Gabe Speier in the eighth—but Brazil's pitching walked 17 batters, including five in the ninth, and Team USA scored seven runs in the ninth on only three hits to put the game away. Final: 15-5. A crowd of 30,825 saw the win. Team USA faces Great Britain on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (FOX) and Mexico on Monday at 8 p.m. ET (FOX).
How the game unfolded
The game was barely 10 minutes old when Aaron Judge unloaded on a Bo Takahashi fastball for a two-run homer, hinting at a blowout. Brazil answered when Lucas Ramirez—one of the youngest participants in the 2026 WBC—hit a leadoff homer off Logan Webb on Webb's second pitch; it was the 10th leadoff homer in WBC history and the first since Canada's Edouard Julien in 2023.
Team USA's first big breakout came in the fifth: Brice Turang lined a bases-clearing double off the left-field wall for a six-run lead. Brazil kept chipping away and even outhomered Team USA 3-1; Ramirez's second homer, a 354-foot no-doubter to right off Gabe Speier in the eighth, narrowed the deficit to three runs.
The ninth put the game out of reach: Team USA plated seven runs despite only three hits—the rest came on walks and a balk. Manager Mark DeRosa said the 17 walks might be a WBC record and that his focus was on managing the bullpen and pitch counts for the games ahead.
Pool B standings (after USA 15–5 Brazil, March 6)
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | RS | RA | DIFF | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | — | 8 | 2 | +6 | W1 |
| United States | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | — | 15 | 5 | +10 | W1 |
| Italy | 0 | 0 | — | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Brazil | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1 | 5 | 15 | -10 | L1 |
| Great Britain | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1 | 2 | 8 | -6 | L1 |
The top two teams after round-robin play (through March 11) advance to the quarterfinals in Miami. Mexico and USA are both 1-0. USA plays Great Britain Saturday 8 p.m. ET (FOX); USA plays Mexico Monday 8 p.m. ET (FOX).
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 matchup on Monday is widely seen as the pool's marquee game and will feature Paul Skenes (reigning NL Cy Young winner). Judge said the atmosphere was "unreal" and that the squad is "gelling pretty early." Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who reaches Miami.
Names to watch for AthX
Aaron Judge (Yankees), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Brice Turang (Brewers), Logan Webb (Giants), and the rest of Team USA's roster are household MLB names. Lucas Ramirez (Brazil)—son of 12-time All-Star Manny Ramirez—is a young bat to watch. 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 and emerging names like Ramirez. 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 – Judge's homer sets the tone in Team USA's blowout vs. Brazil; ESPN WBC; official WBC Pool B results. Fact-checked March 6, 2026.*
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