LIVE: Italy, Japan vie for semis spot (FS2)
TOKYO — Italy and Japan have superior to the quarterfinal spherical of the World Baseball Classic and face off at present for the possibility to go to Miami.
Japan dominated in pool play, going undefeated towards Korea, Australia, China and the Czech Republic. Italy bought by after a five-way tie, beating the group favorites within the Netherlands on the final day to punch its ticket. The Italians are heavy underdogs within the matchup — particularly with many of the loud, sellout crowd at Tokyo Dome rooting towards them — however as followers have seen up to now on this match, something can occur.
Pool B MVP Shohei Ohtani bought the ball for Japan after going 4 innings with 5 strikeouts and no runs allowed in his first begin of the match towards China. Ryan Castellani, who has labored two innings and allowed two runs, began for Italy.
Where: Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.
How you’ll be able to watch: The recreation between Japan and Italy is airing stay on FS2. Games can be found on FOX, FS1, FS2 or FOX Deportes, and each recreation could be streamed on-line within the FOX Sports App. For worldwide viewing choices, click on right here.
How you’ll be able to hear: Live audio protection of all video games will likely be carried on Sirius XM, TuneIn, MLB.com and within the MLB App.
What’s at stake: The winner will get a visit to Miami to play within the semifinals. The loser goes again residence, ready till 2026 for one more shot at WBC glory.
Matchup historical past: This is the primary matchup between these two international locations in World Baseball Classic play
Lopez has been on fireplace throughout this 12 months’s Classic: He’s among the many leaders in batting common (.500), hits (eight) and RBIs (seven). He’s additionally performed some Gold Glove-worthy protection at shortstop. When Italy wants a giant hit, Lopez appears to be the man for that second each time.
“When you’re put in a big situation, whether there’s a guy on, whether you can do something for the team, you want to deliver,” Lopez mentioned in Tacihung, Taiwan.
The Hit Collector is true behind Lopez in hits this match with seven. He’s hit .389 out of the leadoff place and is on base greater than 4 out of 10 occasions he is been as much as the plate. Ranked No. 30 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 (and No. 2 within the Brewers’ system), Frelick is a key cog to getting this scrappy, kill-you-with singles offense going. If he is on base a number of occasions on this recreation, Japan may very well be in bother.
Ohtani will get the beginning for Japan’s matchup, and though the facility pitcher will not be going through an equally highly effective lineup (Italy had zero residence runs in pool play), if the Italians are going proper, they will get hit after hit till you immediately discover yourselves down 5-0. Still, Italy hasn’t confronted off towards a proficient, otherworldly hurler like Ohtani earlier than: a Cy Young-caliber pitcher who also can hit residence runs 450 toes.
The Nippon-Ham Fighter has accomplished nothing however hit for Team Japan this match. He’s close to the Classic leaderboard with seven hits and has one residence run and 5 RBIs. He additionally has 5 walks — giving him a .600 OBP, sixth amongst batters with no less than 10 plate appearances. He’s the catalyst for Japan’s offense when he will get on base.
