Cuban baseball is looking stronger than ever, as Team Cuba advanced to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic. In spite of the absence of Yoenis Céspedes, the Cubans defeated Australia 4-3. The game was a spectacle after the fifth inning following home run blasts from Australia to tie the game.
The Cubans were able to handle the situation. The performance of pitcher Yariel Rodriguez was crucial for the victory. Cuba advances as the first semifinalist awaiting an opponent. Their next game will be played in Miami.
Team Cuba advances to the #WorldBaseballClassic semifinals! pic.twitter.com/IQro2Wj42K
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 15, 2023
Mexico defeats Great Britain 2-1
Mexico was able to continue its strong run thanks to Alexis Wilson, who was not even originally planned to be on the team. In their game against Great Britain, he made his debut as a starter batting ninth and had a great performance with the team's two RBIs and the winning hit in front of more than 17,000 fans in Arizona. The Brits were eliminated with this result. The baseball world awaits the outcome of Canada and Mexico to see who will advance to the quarterfinals.
Team Mexico emerges victorious over Team Great Britain. #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/6Lr7wx87Bz
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 15, 2023
In addition to this game, Puerto Rico will play against the Dominican Republic, and the United States will face Colombia. Japan and Italy will meet Thursday in the next quarterfinal match, which will be played on Japanese soil.
