The 2026 World Baseball Classic knockout stage kicks off with a high-stakes quarterfinal matchup Friday as the powerhouse Dominican Republic faces a resilient South Korea team at loanDepot Park in Miami.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on FS2 in the United States. The winner advances to Sunday’s semifinal to face the victor of the United States-Canada quarterfinal, while the loser is eliminated from contention for the championship.

The Dominican Republic enters as overwhelming favorites after dominating Pool D with a perfect 4-0 record, outscoring opponents by wide margins and showcasing explosive offense. Led by stars like Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr., the D.R. lineup has been one of the tournament’s most feared, combining power hitting with disciplined plate appearances. They capped pool play with a 7-5 win over rival Venezuela on March 12, solidifying their status as a top contender to claim the nation’s first WBC title since 2013.

South Korea, finishing as Pool C runner-up with a 2-2 record, advanced via a complex tiebreaker scenario involving Australia and Chinese Taipei. The Koreans scraped through group play, highlighted by a 7-2 win over Australia that secured their spot. Their offense has been led by first baseman Bo Gyeong Moon, who paced the tournament with 11 RBI and a .538 average (7-for-13) through pool games, including two home runs and two doubles. Pitching has been a strength in spots, with relievers limiting damage despite some vulnerabilities.

This marks the first WBC meeting between the two nations, adding intrigue to the clash of styles. The Dominican Republic brings MLB-caliber star power and depth, while South Korea relies on disciplined fundamentals, strong starting pitching, and opportunistic hitting from a mix of KBO standouts and MLB contributors like Jung Hoo Lee (San Francisco Giants) and Hyeseong Kim (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Probable starters feature a veteran vs. rising star dynamic: left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu for South Korea against lefty Cristopher Sánchez for the Dominican Republic. Ryu, a former MLB All-Star with the Dodgers and Blue Jays, brings experience and command, though his recent form in international play will be tested against the D.R.’s potent lineup. Sánchez, emerging as a reliable arm for the Phillies, offers swing-and-miss stuff and ground-ball tendencies that could neutralize Korea’s contact-oriented approach.

Betting markets heavily favor the Dominican Republic, with opening lines listing them as -750 to -900 money-line favorites on major sportsbooks, while South Korea sits as a +500 to +550 underdog. The run line stands at D.R. -4.5 around -105 to -115, and totals hover at 9.5 to 10.5 runs, reflecting expectations for offensive fireworks from the Dominicans potentially offset by solid pitching duels.

Analysts point to the Dominican Republic’s multi-pronged attack as the deciding factor. Their pool performance included slugging outbursts, high walk totals, and lockdown relief work, making them look like the tournament’s most complete team. South Korea, while gritty and capable of upsets—evidenced by their near-miss against defending champion Japan—struggled with consistency in group play, particularly against stronger opponents.

Key storylines include the Dominican Republic’s quest to avenge past international disappointments and South Korea’s bid to reach the semifinals for the first time since their 2009 runner-up finish. Manager Albert Pujols, a baseball icon, has emphasized preparation and execution, while Korea’s staff highlights resilience and fundamentals in facing elite competition.

The venue, loanDepot Park, offers neutral conditions with potential for carry on fly balls, favoring power hitters like those in the D.R. lineup. Capacity crowds are expected, with passionate fans from both nations anticipated to create an electric atmosphere.

A Dominican victory would set up a high-profile semifinal, while a South Korean upset could spark one of the tournament’s biggest surprises and propel the underdog story forward. As the quarterfinals begin, this matchup encapsulates the WBC’s blend of star power, national pride, and unpredictable drama.

A new Emerson College Polling survey released March 11, 2026, shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell emerging as the frontrunner in California’s nonpartisan primary for governor, capturing 17% support among likely voters just three months before the June 2 election.

The poll, conducted March 7-9 in partnership with Inside California Politics and Nexstar, surveyed 1,000 likely voters and carries a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Swalwell’s lead marks a shift from earlier surveys where Republicans held stronger positions, reflecting growing consolidation among Democratic voters.

Trailing Swalwell are Republican commentator Steve Hilton at 13%, billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco tied at 11% each, and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter at 8%. A significant 25% of likely voters remain undecided, underscoring the fluid state of the race in the nation’s most populous state.

“Rep. Swalwell’s support increased among Democratic voters in the past month from 23% to 27%, along with Tom Steyer, whose support among this group also increased from 12% to 16%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. The gains suggest Democrats are coalescing around familiar names as the field of more than a dozen candidates—nine Democrats and two Republicans—competes to advance the top two to the November general election under California’s top-two primary system.

The Emerson results align with a March 11 UC Berkeley Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research poll for Politico, which showed Hilton leading at 19%, followed by Steyer at 13%, Swalwell at 11%, and Bianco at 11%. That survey of 1,004 likely voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points and highlighted Hilton’s strength among independents and Republicans.

Earlier polling from the Public Policy Institute of California in late February painted a tighter picture, with five candidates in a virtual tie: Hilton (R) at 14%, Porter (D) at 13%, Bianco (R) at 12%, Swalwell (D) at roughly similar levels, and Steyer (D) close behind. PPIC’s February 3-11 survey of likely voters found about 10% undecided at that time, with satisfaction in the candidate field at around 60%.

The race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom has drawn national attention as California remains a Democratic stronghold, though Republicans have occasionally advanced to the general election in recent cycles. The top-two finishers advance regardless of party, setting up potential Democrat-vs.-Democrat or Democrat-vs.-Republican matchups in November.

Swalwell’s rise comes amid his emphasis on affordability, public safety, and progressive priorities, resonating in a state grappling with high housing costs, homelessness, and economic pressures. Hilton, a former Fox News contributor, appeals to conservative and independent voters frustrated with Sacramento’s direction, while Bianco leverages his law enforcement background on crime issues. Steyer brings environmental credentials and financial resources, and Porter maintains progressive appeal from her congressional tenure.

Undecided voters and low single-digit support for others—including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and several lesser-known contenders—suggest room for movement as campaigning intensifies. High-profile names like Mahan, backed by Silicon Valley donors, could see surges with increased visibility.

Broader voter sentiment from the PPIC survey showed majorities prioritizing candidates’ positions on affordability for both governor and congressional races. About seven in ten likely voters expressed interest in town halls and debates, while half said they were not closely following the race yet.

The June primary also features contests for other statewide offices, U.S. House seats, and the state Legislature, with Democrats favored in most congressional matchups per PPIC findings (62% to 36% over Republicans). The governor’s race dominates headlines, however, as the most high-stakes open contest in decades.

As the campaign heats up, fundraising reports, endorsements, and debate performances could reshape the field further. With significant undecided blocs and shifting Democratic consolidation, the race remains wide open heading toward the primary.

Q4: 2026-03-12 Earnings Summary

EPS of $0.50 beats by $0.23

 | Revenue of $387.54M (64.95% Y/Y) beats by $28.00M

This article was written by

Follow

This article was written by

Follow

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of TSEM, AAOI, NVDA either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.