World Baseball Classic semifinals preview: Pitching matchups, keys to victory, predictions and more for USA-D.R. and Venezuela-Italy

One side of the bracket features two heavyweights in the Dominican Republic and Team USA, star-studded squads that charted very different paths to the penultimate round. The D.R. steamrollered most of its five opponents, while the Americans have looked only on occasion like the powerhouse they are on paper.

Team USA finally exhales after grueling World Baseball Classic trip to Houston

Team USA saw its life flash before its eyes a few times but is on to the WBC semifinals.

Cristopher Sánchez, Dominican Republic beat Korea 10-0 in WBC quarterfinals: Live updates and reaction

Cristopher Sánchez pitched five shutout innings, allowing two hits, and the Dominican Republic offense pounded out a 10-0, seven-inning win in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic. Austin Wells hit a three-run home run for the 10-run rule to take effect in the bottom of the seventh.

Team USA Had SEAL Team Six Member Give Speech Before Canada Win

Team USA reportedly had Robert J. O'Neill, a member of SEAL Team Six, speak to the players ahead of their WBC quarterfinal win over Canada.

Dominican Republic mercy-rules South Korea to reach WBC semifinals: Score, highlights

The Dominican has reached the WBC semifinals for the first time since losing to Team USA in 2017, the lone tourney the Americans have won. This time, they bring a power-packed lineup that might be the most potent collection of hitters assembled in this tourney.