Pool play is now complete at the World Baseball Classic and we now know the eight teams left in this prestigious international baseball tournament. They are the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Japan, South Korea and Italy.
The big story to date have actually been the Italians. In a stunning result in Pool B play this past week, Italy beat the United States 8-6. Then when Italy beat Mexico 9-1 on Wednesday, it was the Italians that shockingly won Pool B, and not the heavily favoured Americans.
Italy actually is one three nations undefeated to date. The other two 4-0 teams are the Dominican Republic and Japan. The Dominicans won Pool D when they beat Venezuela 7-5 with first place on the line on Wednesday.
Despite the loss to Italy, the United States still advanced with a record of three wins and one loss. They will next face Canada, which won Pool A with a record of three wins and one loss. The other nation that advanced from Pool A is Puerto Rico, who at three wins and one loss, will next face Italy in the quarterfinals.
All quarterfinal matchups will take place in the United States. The host Americans will play Canada in Houston on Friday, while South Korea (which placed second in Pool C behind Japan) will face the Dominican Republic in Miami, also on Friday. This is the first time ever that Canada is in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic.
Saturday’s games will then see Puerto Rico face Italy in Houston and Venezuela playing Japan in Miami. The semifinals and finals will also be in Miami.
