Home > Sports > Baseball

Dominican Republic's manager Pujols prepared for Korea's 'small ball' in WBC quarterfinals

Published: 13 Mar. 2026, 14:01

Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols tosses a ball during practice for the quarterfinal game against Korea at the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park in Miami on March 12. [YONHAP]

Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols said Thursday his team will have to be prepared against Korea's brand of small ball when the two teams clash in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) this week.

Pujols will lead his team against Korea with a semifinal spot on the line on Friday night at loanDepot park in Miami.

While the Dominican Republic will be heavily favored, Pujols said his team still cannot afford to make mistakes against Korea.

“I think that overall they play the game clean. I think they're disciplined at the plate, Pujols said. “We want to make sure that we don't make mistakes. They like to play small ball, hit and run, whatever that is. And they're going to try to score runs however they can and try to beat us. With them, they're just going to play their game. We want to make sure that we're ready to go.”

The Dominican Republic went a perfect 4-0 to win Pool D, and held off Venezuela 7-5 on Wednesday to clinch the top seed in the group. That game featured four home runs by the Dominican Republic, which rolled out a starting lineup of nine batters who all had at least 20 homers in MLB last year.

“I'm really excited about the match tomorrow,” said Pujols, a surefire Hall of Famer with 703 career home runs and three MVP awards. “I know there's not a lot of information and data that we have, but we're also going to trust our gift that we have and the report that they have given to us and try to come up with the best game plan to come up with a win tomorrow.”

Pujols announced left-hander Cristopher Sanchez as his starter. The runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award last season, Sanchez struggled in his WBC debut against Nicaragua last Friday, when he allowed three runs on six hits in only 1 1/3 innings.

Dominican Republic pitcher Cristopher Sanchez is in action during the 2026 World Baseball Classic pool D game between Nicaragua and Dominican Republic at loanDepot park baseball stadium in Miami, Florida, March 6. [EPA/YONHAP]

Pujols simply said the team has “a game plan” for Sanchez and added, “We hope that he's able to execute it. Then we'll be using the bullpen.”

“I think that our structure is that we have a very good offense, a good bullpen and a very good defense, both in the infield and the outfield,” the manager added. “When you play this kind of a short tournament, you have to take advantage of all the mistakes made by the rival. You try to minimize your own mistakes.”

Sanchez, who went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 202 innings for the Philadelphia Phillies last season, said he will try to learn from his miscues in his first game.

“The mindset is to compete. I'm going to do my best, as usual. I haven't faced their players, and vice versa. They don't know me,” he said. “I am going to attack the strike zone to put together a plan with the pitching coach and the catcher and to execute it.”

Sanchez also said he will be relaxed on the mound knowing that he has one of the best offenses of the tournament supporting him.

The Dominicans lead the WBC in home runs (13), runs (41), walks (33), batting average (. 313), on-base percentage (. 458) and slugging percentage (. 672).

“Of course, this is great support for us, and I'm confident because of that,” Sanchez said.

Yonhap