One semi-final down, one to go.
United States annexes Dominican Republic sunday night 2-1 To return to third consecutive place World Baseball Classic Last. Italy and Venezuela will face each other on Monday for a trip to the final. Get ready for some more action-packed baseball!
Who has the upper hand in the clash between the fierce teams on Monday night? And who are the X-factors that will decide who advances to Tuesday’s championship? ESPN baseball experts Jorge Castillo, Alden Gonzalez and Jeff Passan are weighing in ahead of the matchup — and we’ve got you covered afterward with live updates from Miami as the game begins at 8 p.m. ET, as well as postgame takeaways.
live update
How excited should baseball fans be for this showdown?
Castillo: Not that excited for Sunday’s heavyweight battle between Team USA and the Dominican Republic unless you have a keen interest. That doesn’t mean it won’t provide good entertainment. Italy have been the big surprise of the tournament, making their first WBC semi-final. Meanwhile, Venezuela is a baseball powerhouse that ultimately made the quarterfinals and qualified for its first Olympics. The crowd in Miami will undoubtedly lean heavily toward Venezuela. The atmosphere should be electric. This match will not be as star-studded as Sunday’s match.
What’s the biggest thing Venezuela needs to do to win?
Castillo: kidder montero The Venezuelans need to be given some innings. Manager Omar Lopez had to turn to his bullpen before envisioning a win over Japan ranger suarez Logged only 2⅔ innings. Six relievers held Japan without giving up any runs. The tournament’s pitch count limits won’t prevent Lopez from using any relievers again against Italy, but he — and the pitchers’ MLB clubs — will likely want to avoid overuse on Tuesday.
Montero threw three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Venezuela’s victory over Nicaragua in pool play. His competition debut will be on Monday. With an 80-pitch restriction, Lopez will hope to give Montero at least five innings against the tournament’s second-highest scoring offense through the quarterfinals.
Gonzalez: Aaron NolaIn his prime the curveball was his signature pitch. And although his results have dropped in recent years, it was a major weapon in his last start at this tournament. Nola threw five scoreless innings in his pool-play start against Mexico, generating seven swings and two misses on his curveball, during which he allowed only five baserunners. This pitch is particularly effective against right-handers, who had an expected slugging percentage of only .245 against it last season. The most dangerous hitters in Venezuela’s lineup — Ronald Acuna Jr.., Maikel Garcia, eugenio suarez, Gleyber Torres, jackson chourio – Bat with the right hand.
Pasan: Stop the powerful Italian invasion. From top to bottom, Italy’s lineup gave fits to the teams in Pool B and then did the same with Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. The notion of an Italian baseball team as an offensive juggernaut is somewhat confusing, but the bats have gotten the Italians here with logic: they’re patient, they’re powerful, they’re powerful. And no one – not even the US team waiting to be crowned champion in the final – has yet been able to beat the Italians. They are not big names. But they are young, hungry and confident that Venezuela is another step closer to a championship.
Who is the player who should shine for Venezuela in the semi-finals?
Castillo: Ronald Acuna Jr.. Provided an immediate blowout against Japan with a leadoff home run on the second pitch of the game. He struck out three times in his last four at-bats, but he sets the tone — and Venezuela needs him to continue doing that. Acuna is as talented as any major position player. His energy is infectious. His strong performance will make it difficult to defeat Venezuela.
Gonzalez: jackson chourio. Outside of Acuña, he is probably the most talented offensive player on the Venezuelan team. But he hasn’t done much since suffering a left arm injury in Venezuela’s final exhibition game before the tournament begins, going 2 for 9 with two walks and a pair of strikeouts. He is one among many–with eugenio suarez, salvador perez, William Contreras, andres jimenez, Gleyber Torres And others – who have not yet acted aggressively.
Pasan: García may be the most underrated player in baseball, and there’s a reason he’s batting No. 2 in the Venezuela lineup: He’s earned it. in this kansas city royals-centered WBC–with both captains of the second semi-final game, salvador perez (Venezuela) and vinny pasquantino (Italy) Royals as well as Team USA at shortstop bobby wit jr. – Garcia has arguably been the best of the group, having performed brilliantly all tournament, including against Japan when he hit a huge home run. Another Monday will be even bigger.
What’s the biggest thing Italy needs to do to win?
Castillo: Italy need to keep hitting. Italy need to hit consistently. Whether Nola could repeat his performance against Mexico (five scoreless innings) was a tough ask. Japan witnessed Venezuela’s firepower firsthand. And Italy have some players of their own, who have scored 40 runs in five matches and scored at least seven runs in each game. The Italians hit 12 home runs in the first four games – taking an espresso shot in celebration each time – but defeated Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals without hitting a ball over the wall. Whatever it takes to stick with Venezuelans.
Gonzalez: get the ball greg weisert. boston red sox The reliever has been miserable for Italy this tournament, recording three saves, striking out five batters and not allowing a single run in 3⅓ innings. With Team USA rallying in the pool-play final, Weissert comes out of the bullpen to strike out aaron judge And seal an unlikely victory. And with Puerto Rico rallying in the quarterfinals, Weissert recorded the final five outs of the game, sending Italy through to the semifinals. The team will need another extraordinary effort from him.
Pasan: Crush Venezuela quickly. That’s what Italian crime has done. Against the United States. Against Mexico. Against Puerto Rico. All good teams with good pitchers, and Italy – whose average lineup age is under 24 – has caught up with them early. The Italians’ bullpen is susceptible, as Italy’s relievers have shown in nearly blowing some big leads. So the more leeway the Italians can give themselves for some late plays, the better their chances of advancing.
Who is the player who should shine for Italy in the semi-finals?
Castillo: vinny pasquantino There are four hits in this competition. Had three home runs in Italy’s victory over Mexico in pool play. Otherwise, the Italian captain is 1 for 16 with six walks. Italy obviously don’t need Pasquantino to shine in most games, but he is the most efficient hitter in this lineup and teams need their best hitters to thrive in the biggest games.
Gonzalez: As much as Pasquantino has struggled in this tournament, jack caglianoneThe former two-way player and No. 6 pick in the 2024 draft went 4 of 11 with two extra-base hits and, just as importantly, four walks. Italy have had plenty of unlikely stars in this incredible run. But at the end of the day, against the best competition, the two best hitters need to set the tone.
Pasan: I’m going to break the rules and go with two: starting with Nola and Michael Lorenzen Expected to piggyback, the Italians are set to use their two best pitchers in an effort to reach the finals, at which point they will go to full bullpen games. Nola is by far Italy’s most decorated player, a high-level innings eater over the past decade, pitching five shutout innings in his only WBC start. Lorenzen was arguably even better against the United States, pitching 4.2 shutout innings, and with a seven-pitch mix and a formidable right-handed Venezuelan lineup, he could have given Venezuela fits. The Italians are fully prepared this time, intent on reaching the final and knowing that they can do again what they have already done.
