Opening Day in Major League Baseball has increasingly become a global showcase, with international-born pitchers and World Baseball Classic standouts shaping rotations across the league. World Baseball Network takes a closer look at the arms set to define the start of the 2026 season.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic concluded on March 17 with Venezuela capturing its first-ever title, defeating the United States 3–2 at loanDepot park. Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel García was named tournament MVP after leading Venezuela’s historic run. From Tokyo to Miami, the tournament reinforced the global depth of pitching talent now shaping MLB rotations.
Venezuela celebrates after defeating the United States in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
2026 WBC Participants & International-Born Opening Day Starters
Key: (*) 2025 All-Star | (^) 2026 World Baseball Classic Participant
United States
Logan Webb (SF) *^
Paul Skenes (PIT) *^
Matthew Boyd (CHC) *^
Tarik Skubal (DET) *^
Canada
Nick Pivetta (SD)
Dominican Republic
Freddy Peralta (NYM) *
José Soriano (LAA)
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) ^
Luis Severino (OAK) ^
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) ^
Japan
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) *^
2026 MLB Opening Day Probables
Abbreviations: WBC (World Baseball Classic), ST (Spring Training), RS (Regular Season), CS (Career Stats)
Wednesday, March 25
Logan Webb (USA)
San Francisco Giants vs. New York Yankees — Oracle Park
Team United States pitcher Logan Webb reacts after striking out Canada third baseman Abraham Toro (31) to end the first inning of a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Webb enters 2026 following a dominant WBC and a 2025 season in which he led the National League in innings pitched.
2026 WBC: 2–0, 1.04 ERA, 8.2 IP, 11 K
2025 RS: 15–11, 3.22 ERA, 207 IP, 224 K
Career: 70–53, 3.38 ERA
Thursday, March 26
Paul Skenes (USA) vs. Freddy Peralta (DR)
Pirates at Mets — Citi Field
United States pitcher Paul Skenes reacts after striking out Mexico’s Jarren Duran during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A marquee matchup featuring 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes against All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta.
Skenes (2025): 10–10, 1.97 ERA, 216 K
Peralta (2025): 17–6, 2.70 ERA, 204 K
Tarik Skubal (USA) vs. Nick Pivetta (CAN)
Tigers at Padres — Petco Park
Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, faces Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta, who opted out of the 2026 World Baseball Classic to focus on his role as San Diego’s Opening Day starter following a career-best 2025 season.
2026 WBC: 3.00 ERA, 3 IP, 5 K
Skubal (2025): 13–6, 2.21 ERA, 241 K
Pivetta (2025): 13–5, 2.87 ERA, 190 K
United States starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Britain, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (JPN)
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks — Dodger Stadium
Yamamoto remains one of MLB’s premier international arms, continuing his dominance on both the MLB and global stage.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, of Japan, pauses on the pitcher’s mound prior to the first pitch of the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
2026 WBC: 1–0, 2.70 ERA
2025 RS: 12–8, 2.49 ERA, 201 K
Cristopher Sánchez (DR)
Phillies vs. Rangers — Citizens Bank Park
Sánchez led the 2026 World Baseball Classic in strikeouts, emerging as one of the tournament’s breakout stars.
Dominican Republic pitcher Cristopher Sánchez retracts after striking out Nicaragua’s Melvin Novoa to end the inning during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Nicaragua, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
2026 WBC: 12 K
2025 RS: 13–5, 2.50 ERA, 212 K
José Soriano (DR)
Angels vs. Astros — Daikin Park
Soriano takes the mound in Houston for his first career Opening Day start, earning the nod after a full 2025 campaign anchoring the Angels’ rotation. The 27-year-old right-hander, who features a high-velocity sinker and swing-and-miss breaking ball, represents a potential future piece for the Dominican Republic in international play as he continues to develop at the major league level.
This is a 2026 photo of José Soriano of the Los Angeles Angels MLB baseball team. This image reflects the 2026 active roster as of Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 when the images was taken in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
2025 RS: 10–11, 4.26 ERA
Career: 17–21, 3.89 ERA
Friday, March 27
Luis Severino (DR)
Athletics vs. Blue Jays — Rogers Centre
Title: WBC USA Dominican Republic Baseball
Image ID: 26075035591990
Article: Dominican Republic pitcher Luis Severino celebrates during the third inning of a World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the United States, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
2026 WBC: 1–0, 2.45 ERA, 11 K
ST: 1.29 ERA
2025 RS: 8–11, 4.54 ERA
Sandy Alcantara (DR)
Marlins vs. Rockies — loanDepot park
The former Cy Young Award winner looks to rebound after a challenging 2025 season.
Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara gestures to fans before a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
2026 WBC: 1–0, 9.00 ERA, 3 IP
2025 RS: 11–12, 5.36 ERA
Career: 52–67, 3.65 ERA
With international talent continuing to shape Opening Day rotations across Major League Baseball, the impact of the World Baseball Classic is more visible than ever. From Venezuela’s championship breakthrough to dominant performances on the global stage, the 2026 season begins with the game firmly established on a global scale.
