The World Baseball Classic is an exciting prelude to the Major League Baseball season. The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 5 (March 4 in the United States), with the championship taking place on March 17. Cristopher Sánchez will pitch for Team Dominican Republic in the 2026 WBC. — Cole Weintraub (@WeintraubCole) January 27, 2026There’s always risk involved when players participate in the World Baseball Classic or other leagues during the offseason. The extra innings pitched during the World Baseball Classic could impact Sánchez’s 2026 season with the Phillies.