Brice Turang propels Team USA to sketchy win in World Baseball Classic opener

Team USA kicked off their 2026 World Baseball Classic journey with a matchup against Team Brazil last night. Team Brazil has participated in just one WBC -- the 2013 edition -- and has never won a game in the history of the international tournament. Matched up against one of the best USA teams ever assembled, the game wasn't expected to be especially close.

Playing as the away team, despite the game taking place in Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, Team USA was first to the plate, and a two-run homer from 3x AL MVP Aaron Judge in the top of the first frame had fans worried about just how ugly the game was going to get. However, while fans were Googling the WBC "mercy rule" in the bottom of the first inning, Lucas Ramirez, the son of long-time MLB star Manny Ramirez, led off the game for Team Brazil with a solo shot off 2x All-Star Logan Webb.

By the time the fifth inning rolled around, USA only held a 3-1 lead over Brazil. In the interim, 17-year-old Joseph Contreras of Team Brazil pitched a scoreless second inning despite allowing a ringing double to Milwaukee Brewers' second baseman Brice Turang. With just a two-run deficit in the top of the fifth inning, Team Brazil was in striking distance.

However, in the top of the fifth, after three consecutive walks and a hit-by-pitch, Turang stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded, and Team USA now boasting a three-run lead. Just as he did in his first at-bat of the game, Turang went to the opposite field and dropped a fly ball right at the base of the wall. The bases cleared, Turang stood on second base with his second double of the game and Team USA doubled their lead.

Brice Turang collects three hits, four RBI in World Baseball Classic debut

Though Team USA now held a six-run lead, Brazil wouldn't go away easily. A three-run homer from Brazil's second baseman, Lucas Rojo, in the bottom of the seventh cut the USA's lead in half. The following inning, Ramirez slugged his second homer of the game, answering a run that Team USA scored in the top of the frame to keep it a three-run lead for the Americans.

One could refer to the USA's three-run lead against Brazil entering the top of the ninth inning as "sketchy," but the term could also be used to describe what happened next. Brazil's pitchers struggled to find the zone all game, but in the top of the ninth inning, things escalated to a brutal level. Turang singled to start the inning, and two batters later, Bryce Harper followed with a single of his own, but then Brazil proceeded to walk the next four batters in a row. A single from Roman Anthony broke the streak, but another free pass followed, and by the end of the inning, Team USA had essentially been handed seven runs.

It ended up being a 10-run victory for Team USA, which certainly looks good in the record books, but the game was much closer than the final score indicates for much of the contest. Brazil as a team issued 17 walks, which definitely helped Team USA, but it also prevented their formidable lineup from doing more damage at the plate.

Meanwhile, it was an incredible introduction to the WBC for Turang. The Brewers' talented second baseman was the only player on Team USA to collect three hits, and he led his team with four RBI, while adding a stolen base to his stat line as well.

Team USA is back in action tomorrow night against Great Britain. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, and 2x AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will throw first for Team USA.