MIAMI – Venezuela enters Monday night’s World Baseball Classic matchup against Nicaragua at loanDepot park with a clear focus: securing a spot in the quarterfinals. While a win isn’t necessarily a guarantee – their fate too hinges on the result of the Dominican Republic-Israel game – manager Omar López has emphasized that his team will treat the 7 p.m. ET contest, broadcast on FS2, with the same intensity regardless of Nicaragua’s 0-3 record in Pool D. This commitment to respecting every opponent underscores Venezuela’s determination to advance in the tournament.
Nicaragua has already been eliminated from contention in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but manager Dusty Baker isn’t letting his team approach the game any differently. Baker stated after Nicaragua’s 5-0 loss to Israel on Sunday night, “I’ve been on first-place teams and I’ve been on last-place teams that you had the last game of the season, and you certainly desire to go home on a good note.” The team hopes to finish the tournament strong, potentially with a looser atmosphere given the lack of playoff implications.
Venezuela Won’t Look Past Nicaragua
Despite the potential for a favorable outcome in their quarterfinal chances, López is adamant that Venezuela won’t underestimate Nicaragua. “The same job that we are doing right now is attacking the hitters, to be ahead in the count, and endeavor to use all the pitchers; that goes for Dominican Republic and Nicaragua the same,” López explained. “No matter the name, we have to respect all the teams.” This message is clearly resonating with the players, as Eugenio Suárez echoed the sentiment, stating, “All the games are important to us. We have to win them all. One game is not more important than the other. We are here to compete, to give everything for our country.”
Venezuela defeated Nicaragua in their only previous World Baseball Classic meeting, a 4-1 victory in 2023 at the same ballpark. Suárez drove in two runs in that contest. MLB.com reports that this history adds another layer of focus for Venezuela as they aim to repeat that success.
Recent Form and Pool D Standings
Venezuela comes into the game with a 2-0 record in Pool D, having recently defeated Israel 11-3 on March 7th and the Netherlands 6-2 on March 6th. ESPN provides updated scores and stats throughout the tournament. Nicaragua, has lost all three of their games, falling to Israel 5-0 on March 8th, the Netherlands 4-3 on March 7th, and the Dominican Republic 12-3 on March 6th.
The standings in Pool D are as follows (as of March 9, 2026):
- Venezuela: 2-0
- Israel: 1-1
- Netherlands: 1-1
- Dominican Republic: 1-1
- Nicaragua: 0-3
What’s Next for Both Teams
For Venezuela, a win against Nicaragua, combined with a favorable result in the Dominican Republic-Israel game, would secure their place in the quarterfinals. Their final Pool D game is scheduled for Wednesday against the Dominican Republic. Nicaragua will conclude their participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic following Monday’s game. Regardless of the outcome, manager Baker hopes his team can finish the tournament on a positive note.
The focus remains firmly on the task at hand for Venezuela: a focused and respectful approach to their matchup against Nicaragua. The team’s determination to compete for every win, regardless of the opponent’s record, demonstrates their commitment to representing their country with pride on the international stage.
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