After the 8-6 loss against Team Italy in the WBC, the future of Team USA is not in their hands anymore. Given the tensions between Team Mexico and Team USA, one insider believes that collusion is the best option.

WFAN host Craig Carton said, “If you’re Mexico and Italy… do you put your differences aside for a second and say, Hey, let’s collude here a little bit?”

Team USA entered the 2026 World Baseball Classic carrying giant expectations after winning in 2017 and finishing as runners-up in 2023. The roster featured stars like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, both former MLB MVP winners.

Through four Pool B games, the Americans scored 35 runs while allowing 17 runs overall. Yet Tuesday’s 8-6 loss to Italy erased comfort and pushed their record to 3-1. Fans suddenly realized qualification depended on another game, something this talented roster never expected entering Houston.

Italy’s upset created a tense Pool B table with Italy at 3-0, USA at 3-1, and Mexico at 2-1. If Italy beats Mexico, the Americans advance with them because the records become Italy 4-0 and USA 3-1. Trouble appears if Mexico wins, creating a three-team tie at identical 3-1 records.

The tiebreaker uses runs allowed divided by defensive outs recorded in games between tied teams. Before Italy faced Mexico, Team USA allowed 11 runs across 54 outs, producing a 0.204 ratio. Mexico allowed 5 runs in 24 outs, producing a 0.208 ratio entering the decisive matchup. Italy allowed 6 runs in 27 outs, giving them a 0.222 ratio before Wednesday night’s contest.

If Mexico wins 4-3, updated numbers become Mexico 0.156, Italy 0.176, and the USA 0.204, eliminating the Americans. Yet if Mexico wins 9-2, Italy rises to 0.294 while Team USA remains at 0.204, advancing instead. That strange math sparked talk shows imagining quiet cooperation between Mexico and Italy to secure quarterfinal survival.

Such discussion grew louder after WFAN host Craig Carton openly wondered whether teams might collude. Carton argued survival matters most because the tournament advances only two teams from each five-team pool.

Yet the situation feels painful because the United States last exited in the first round back in 2009. Back then, they finished fourth with a 4-4 record despite scoring 50 runs across eight games. Failing again with stars like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper would leave fans questioning preparation, pride, and mindset.

Mark DeRosa ripped into Team USA after their upset against Italy in the WBC

Hours before the Pool B finale in Houston, manager Mark DeRosa told MLB Network USA that they had already clinched the quarterfinals. He said, “Our ticket’s punched,” even though standings still depended on Italy versus Mexico.

Believing qualification was secured, DeRosa rested stars Bryce Harper and Alex Bregman before the Italy matchup. Italy quickly punished the decision, racing to an 8-0 lead before winning 8-6 at Daikin Park.

After the loss, DeRosa admitted publicly, “I misspoke… completely misread the calculations” during his interview. The United States finished pool play 3-1, yet advancement depended on the Italy versus Mexico outcome.

Fans reacted strongly online, questioning how a manager misunderstood tiebreakers involving runs, outs, and scoring margins. Media figure Pat McAfee captured disbelief, writing, “NO GRAZIE… we can’t be losing to Italy in baseball.”