Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez sends powerful message ahead of WBC final vs. Team USA

The World Baseball Classic final is set. Team USA will take on Team Venezuela for all the marbles on Tuesday night in Miami, and Cincinnati Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez will be at the center of the action.

Trailing Team Italy 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning during Monday's semi-final, Suárez put Team Venezuela on the board with a solo home run. Venezuela took the lead in the top of the seventh after Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia roped an RBI single into left field, and Italy was unable to rally. Team Venezuela won the game by a final score of 4-2.

"I mean, I just want to say first, God's been good, you know? Like I always say, I have to glorify His name," Suárez said to FOX Sports analyst Tom Verducci after the game. "Jesus' been awesome with us. Like I said, we never give up. We know how hard this game (was), but we never gave up. We put in good at-bats. We put everything together...That's why we're celebrating."

"It's very special," Suárez said when asked about what this means to Venezuela. "This team, it's been awesome. You know, we have everything. But more important, we got faith. We believe in God. We pray every day. We give glory to the One and only, you know, Jesus. And that means a lot for us."

Suárez continued, "At the beginning of this competition, a lot of people (didn't) believe in our team, but now we're here and now we go, for the first time, to the finals. And we got to enjoy it. God's been good, and we have to do it for our country."

Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez cites faith as part of Team Venezuela's success in WBC

Suárez hasn't played in every game for Team Venezuela during this year's WBC. With Garcia starting at third base, Suárez has been relegated to DH duty during the tournament — something he'll likely be doing for the Reds in 2026. In four games, he's hitting just .188, but he's mashed two home runs during Team Venezuela's run to the WBC Finals, including the 386-foot shot on Monday night.

But in order for Team Venezuela to take home the gold, they'll need to take down the juggernaut that is Team USA. Led by Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Bobby Witt Jr., the United States was always expected to be this year's WBC Final.

Most observers assumed Team USA would be facing off against Shohei Ohtani and Team Japan, but Team Venezuela knocked off the defending champs and will now have a chance to make history on Tuesday night.

The one thing working in Venezuela's favor will be the pitching matchup. Reigning AL Cy Young Award-winner Tarik Skubal chose to only appear in one WBC game this spring, and Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Paul Skenes started Sunday's game and is unavailable on Tuesday night. Team USA will also be without one of their top relievers, David Bednar.

There's a chance that Suárez and Team Venezuela will be able to pull off the upset, but they'll need a heroic effort in order to do so. Suárez is the only player in the Reds organization remaining in this year's World Baseball Classic.