The World Classic is entering its final stages and is getting more exciting than ever. To begin with, Cuba, one of the team’s favored to win, is already in Miami. They traveled from Japan and will play in the semifinals in Florida this Sunday.
It will be an interesting spectacle because they have never played a tournament of such magnitude in Miami, home to the largest Cuban community in the U.S. and where more Cubans have expressed their feelings about the government in Cuba.
Mexico and Puerto Rico advance to quarterfinals
Mexico took first place in Group C with a 10-3 win over Canada, securing its ticket to the quarterfinals as the leader with a record of three wins and one loss. They will play their next game on Friday, March 17 against Puerto Rico.
Team Mexico punches its ticket to the #WorldBaseballClassic quarterfinals after defeating Team Canada. 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/72xbE1q3Hk
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 15, 2023
Speaking of Puerto Rico, they reached this stage by beating the tournament's favorite team, the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico proved that talent and effort is what it takes to move forward and won 5-2.
Another epic battle! Team Puerto Rico wins it! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/1dJ1zSU8C9
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2023
United States will face Venezuela in the quarterfinals
Another team that advanced to the quarterfinals was the USA, which sealed its victory against Colombia (3-2), which never gave up and fought until the end. The Americans will now focus on their upcoming game against Venezuela.
Team USA has a date with Team Venezuela in the #WorldBaseballClassic quarterfinals. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/J5FH0TGJt6
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2023
Meanwhile, Japan defeated Italy (9-3), advancing to the semifinals with star player Shohei Ohtani.
Japan is the only team to reach the semifinals in EVERY #WorldBaseballClassic. pic.twitter.com/7LKfyjTlWk
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2023
