Watch Italy vs. Cuba on Tubi at 6 a.m. ET
The World Baseball Classic continues Thursday with a Pool A matchup between Cuba and Italy at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taiwan.
Cuba is coming off a troublesome 4-2 loss to the Netherlands in its first sport on Tuesday, so will probably be trying to bounce again and get again on observe right here in Taiwan. This will probably be Italy’s first sport of the 2023 Classic. It has participated in each WBC, using a Cinderella story to its finest end (seventh) again in 2013.
Here’s all you might want to know in regards to the matchup:
How you’ll be able to watch: The sport between Cuba and Italy will start at 6 a.m. ET on Tubi. Games can be found on FOX, FS1, FS2, Tubi or FOX Deportes, and each sport may be streamed on-line within the FOX Sports App. For worldwide viewing choices, click on right here.
How you’ll be able to pay attention: Live audio protection of all video games will probably be carried on Sirius XM, TuneIn, MLB.com and within the MLB App.
What’s at stake: The 20 groups have been positioned in 4 swimming pools of 5 groups for the primary spherical of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, with every workforce taking part in the others in its pool as soon as every and the groups with the 2 finest information in every pool on the finish of this spherical advancing to the knockout stage. Cuba (0-1) and Italy (but to play) are a part of Pool A with the Netherlands (1-0), Chinese Taipei (0-1) and Panama (1-0).
Matchup historical past: This is the primary World Baseball Classic matchup between Italy and Cuba.
Matt Harvey, SP, Italy: It was a little bit of a shock that Harvey determined to affix up with Team Italy, however supervisor Mike Piazza’s squad must be pleased having such an skilled pitcher on its employees. Harvey hasn’t pitched within the large leagues since 2021, and accidents have wreaked havoc on his arm over time, however he appeared good in an exhibition sport right here in Taichung. Plenty of eyes will probably be on him for this large begin.
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, Italy: Pasquantino, nonetheless simply 25, is the star of this workforce. He had a breakout first season with the Royals in 2022 and appears as if he’ll be a star for a very long time in Okay.C. He’s additionally psyched to be representing Italy on this match. I imply, what’s Team Italy with no man whose nickname is the Italian Nightmare?
Roenis Elías, SP, Cuba: Elías has been a really strong pitcher throughout his Major League profession, however just lately, that’s solely been as a reliever. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how he fares beginning off a sport and the way far he’s allowed to go in such an vital matchup.
Luis Robert Jr., CF, Cuba: Robert is the most effective hitter on this lineup. Although he had a giant double in Cuba’s first sport, he additionally struck out thrice. Hardly anyone on Cuba’s roster hit towards the Netherlands (they’d three complete hits within the 4-2 loss). Maybe if he will get issues going in the midst of the lineup, different batters round him will reply in flip.
