In Tokyo, Japan, the World Baseball Classic kicked off for Team USA on March 6, 2026. Playing against Brazil, Team USA captain Aaron Judge launched a two-run home run in the first inning, putting his team ahead early. Brazil, however, responded with a strong performance, scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning to trail just 2-1. The highlight of the evening came during the second inning when high school pitcher Joseph Contreras, representing Brazil, faced Judge with the bases loaded. Despite being only 17 years old and pitching against the best player he had ever faced, Contreras maintained his composure and delivered an impressive performance. He successfully struck out Judge, resulting in a broken bat and a bases-loaded double play that kept the score at 2-1, showcasing Contreras' potential as he tried to mirror an earlier grand slam hit by Shohei Ohtani. The match ended in a resounding victory for Team USA, which dominated throughout, but that particular moment underscored Contreras' talent amidst a challenging competition. This WBC appearance is Brazil's second, marking a significant opportunity for their team and young players like Contreras to display their skills on an international stage.