World Baseball Classic Semifinals
Cuba / USA — March 19, 7 PM ET
Roenis Elías will be Cuba's starting pitcher, with Adam Wainwright getting the ball for the United States.
Cuba (3-2 overall) has won its last three games, outscoring opponents 24-8.
The US (4-1 overall) has won its last three games, outscoring opponents 24-10.
The US needed a dramatic come-from-behind win on Saturday to advance to the semifinals. After seven innings, Venezuela led 7-5, thanks in part to US manager Mark DeRosa sending Daniel Bard to the mound in the fifth. Entrusted with a three-run lead, Bard went: walk, single, wild pitch, HBP (fracturing Jose Altuve's right thumb), wild pitch, walk; he was eventually charged with four runs, putting his WBC ERA at 43.20 in three appearances.
Venezuela reliever José Quijada dug himself a hole against the US in the top of the eighth. He walked Tim Anderson, gave up a single to Pete Alonso, and hit J.T. Realmuto with a pitch, loading the bases with no outs. Silvino Bracho came in to face Trea Turner, with Mookie Betts and Mike Trout behind him.
Turner ended up being the toughest out of the three, falling behind 0-2 before crushing an 86-mph changeup to deep left. His grand slam gave the US a 9-7 lead. Venezuela, suddenly trailing by two with six outs left, got a leadoff double from Ronald Acuna in the bottom of the eighth. He stole third with two outs, but was stranded. Venezuela went in order in the ninth.
Mexico / Japan, March 20 — 7 PM ET
Three Red Sox outfielders will be in uniform for Monday's semifinal game: Masataka Yoshida (Japan), Alex Verdugo (Mexico), and Jarren Duran (Mexico).
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