Baseball: United States first finalists, now the semi-final Italy-Venezuela

Gli United Statesthey are the first finalists of the sixth edition ofWorld Baseball Classicand now they await the winner of the big match betweenItalia e Venezuela. The Americans defeated La. in the semifinalsDominican Republicby 2 to 1. The Azzurri reached the semi-final (1 pm Italian time tomorrow) after surprising the sports world ofhit and runwho will return to the OlympicsLos Angeles 2026but with only six participating teams.

Phenomenal and historic was the victory in the group stage over theUnited States ma anche sul Mexicoand, in the quarter-finals, onPuerto Ricotwice third at the WBC. Beyond the result that will mature this night in Miami, theItaliait is the second European nation to have ranked in the top four inWorld Baseball Classic. L’Whenin fact, had come fourth in 2013 and 2017 when, however, the participation was sixteen teams and not twenty as starting from this edition.

Venezuela is the favorite and Cervelli’s words

Il Venezuelastarts with the underdogs thanks to the success in the quarter-finals againstJapanreigning champion. The Azzurri, who had always played atHoustonthey have already tested the ‘LoanDepot Park‘ di Miamiwhere the match will take place. “This is a dream and it has become reality because we have worked to do just this, it is a spectacle – stated themanager of Italy, Francisco Cervelli-. I didn’t think we would achieve these results in such a short time but I want to thank my staff because no one can do anything alone.”

Changes in the Italian roster

In the meantime, news has leaked out ofchanges in the Italian roster. In place of the injured personMiles Mastrobuoni subentra Brayan Rocchioborn in 2001, part of the organization ofCleveland Indianswhere he became a central point in the team’s rotationsMajor League. The pitcher is no longer part of the squad eitherDylan DeLuciawho, no longer being able to pitch during the tournament as per the regulations, was replaced byleft-handed pitcher Joe Jacquescurrently in the organization ofNew Yorkafter gaining experience withBoston Red Sox e Arizona Diamondbacks.

The path of Venezuela

Il Venezuelaarrives after finishing in second placegroup stage con Netherlands(victory 6-2 all’ordio),Israel (successo per 11-3), Nicaragua (vittoria 4-0) e Dominican Republic(defeat 7-5). The ones who dragged the South American team were thehome run di Wilyer Abreu, Maikel Garcia e Ronald Acuña Jr.