It’s Australia vs. Cuba in 1st Classic quarterfinal game (6 a.m. ET, FS2)
A visit to Miami and the semifinals is on the road when Australia and Cuba face one another at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday. While Australia has already exceeded expectations coming into the match — their three wins are a crew report and so they’ve by no means reached the second spherical earlier than — the crew has made it clear they do not assume the job is completed.
“We’re not done yet,” crew captain Tim Kennelly mentioned. “It’s cool to get through the quarterfinals, and if we get through to Miami, the last four teams, that’s going to be pretty cool.”
Cuba completed as runners-up within the first World Baseball Classic, however have been out of the highest 4 since. They’ll have hard-throwing righty Yariel Rodriguez begin on this recreation. He will not be awed by pitching at Tokyo Dome: Rodriguez posted a 1.15 ERA as a reliever for the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB final 12 months.
When and the place: 6 a.m. ET at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
How you’ll be able to watch: The recreation between Australia and Cuba will air on FS2. Games can be found on FOX, FS1, FS2 or FOX Deportes, and each recreation will 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 shall be carried on Sirius XM, TuneIn, MLB.com and within the MLB App.
What’s at stake: What’s at stake? It’s win or go dwelling! Australian baseball has already had a Cinderella run and the power-hitting crew might proceed to make historical past the farther they go on this match. Kennelly, reigning ABL MVP Award-winner Alex Hall and Robbie Glendinning have hit almost every thing pitchers have provided them, so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if Cuba can lastly cool off the red-hot bats.
With two Major Leaguers — Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert — within the lineup this match for the primary time in World Baseball Classic historical past, Cuba might re-establish its standing as the most effective groups on the planet with a victory. A visit to Miami and Little Havana awaits with a victory.
Matchup historical past: Cuba beat Australia 5-4 within the 2009 WBC and 4-3 in ’17.
Alfredo Despaigne, Cuba: While the all-time chief in World Baseball Classic dwelling runs (seven) hasn’t gone deep on this match, the veteran remains to be hitting the ball arduous. Despaigne has a .429 common and a 1.072 OPS with three RBIs. With 4 extra pushed in, he’ll tie former Team Cuba teammate Frederich Cepeda for essentially the most in match historical past.
Yoán Moncada, Cuba: White Sox followers should like what they’ve seen to date. Coming off a troublesome 2022 season, Moncada has been on hearth on the Classic. The infielder has a .353/.421/.647 slash line.
Aaron Whitefield, Australia: The speedy outfielder — he was a former softball participant — has been essential to Australia’s possibilities with nice protection and loads of pace on the basepaths. Hitting 3-for-10 within the sequence, Whitefield has scored 4 runs and stolen two bases.
Tim Kennelly, Australia: In his third World Baseball Classic, the 37-year-old skilled firefighter is displaying he is received a lot left within the tank. He made two spectacular catches in Australia’s victory towards the Czech Republic and at last hit his first WBC dwelling run this time round.
