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The United States received the result it needed to advance in the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday, and it was its adversary from one night earlier that helped punch that ticket.
Italy took down Mexico, 9-1, on the shoulders of Vinnie Pasquantino's three-home run game — the first in WBC history — and Aaron Nola's five shutout innings in the final game of Pool B play at Daikin Park in Houston to help the United States advance to the quarterfinals.
The U.S. entered the night with its fate out of its control following a stunning 8-6 loss to Italy on Tuesday night. Team USA needed Italy to win or for Mexico to score five runs or more to reach the quarterfinals.
With Italy winning, they posted a perfect 4-0 record to win Pool B. The United States emerged as runners-up with a 3-1 record in pool play.
After unsettling night of scoreboard watching, there will be a North American matchup on Friday night in Houston. The U.S. will now take on Canada in the quarterfinal at 7 p.m. A win would put them on a collision course with the Dominican Republic or Venezuela in the semifinals.
As the United States gears up to face Canada, here is what to know about its next opponent:
For the first time in any of the six World Baseball Classics, Canada advanced to the knockout round.
Canada earned its spot by winning Pool A, shaking off a loss to Panama and following it up with victories over both Puerto Rico, the pool's runner-up, and Cuba, which did not advance in the WBC for the first time in its history.
First baseman Abraham Toro, a nine-year MLB veteran, led Canada's lineup with seven hits in 15 at-bats, including a home run and two runs against Cuba on Wednesday. Each of the Naylor brothers, Josh and Bo, have four hits in the tournament.
Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka started Canada's opener, holding Colombia to one earned run in three innings, and could be in line to make Friday's start against the United States. Jameson Taillon could be another option for the Canadians.
The United States' young guard has been a driving force for the offense over the course of the tournament.
The Red Sox's Roman Anthony has driven in a team-best six runs in their four games. He had two hits in the opener and tagged a critical three-run home run against Mexico. Gunnar Henderson has five hits in 10 at-bats, including four hits and two RBI in the U.S. 9-1 victory over Great Britain.
Pete Crow-Armstrong nearly helped the United States claw back from eight runs down against Italy, ripping a pair of home runs to right field and collecting four RBI.
Aside from the United States' youth, the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber leads the team with six hits and six runs. Aaron Judge has two home runs and five RBI in four games but he was held 0-for-4 and struck out to end the game against Italy.
While the United States has yet to announce a starting pitcher for Friday's quarterfinal game, the logical choice would be Logan Webb, who started the nation's opening game against Brazil on March 6.
The Giants right-hander would be fully rested after holding Brazil to one earned run on one hit — a solo home run — with six strikeouts in four innings. He threw 52 pitches.
Two-time defending American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will not pitch again in the WBC after registering a no-decision against Great Britain. That could open the door for Mets starter Clay Holmes as a candidate to start a potential semifinal after he struck out six in three innings against Britain.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Who does Team USA play next at World Baseball Classic after Italy won?
Continue reading...
Italy took down Mexico, 9-1, on the shoulders of Vinnie Pasquantino's three-home run game — the first in WBC history — and Aaron Nola's five shutout innings in the final game of Pool B play at Daikin Park in Houston to help the United States advance to the quarterfinals.
The U.S. entered the night with its fate out of its control following a stunning 8-6 loss to Italy on Tuesday night. Team USA needed Italy to win or for Mexico to score five runs or more to reach the quarterfinals.
With Italy winning, they posted a perfect 4-0 record to win Pool B. The United States emerged as runners-up with a 3-1 record in pool play.
After unsettling night of scoreboard watching, there will be a North American matchup on Friday night in Houston. The U.S. will now take on Canada in the quarterfinal at 7 p.m. A win would put them on a collision course with the Dominican Republic or Venezuela in the semifinals.
As the United States gears up to face Canada, here is what to know about its next opponent:
What to know about Canada for World Baseball Classic quarterfinals
For the first time in any of the six World Baseball Classics, Canada advanced to the knockout round.
Canada earned its spot by winning Pool A, shaking off a loss to Panama and following it up with victories over both Puerto Rico, the pool's runner-up, and Cuba, which did not advance in the WBC for the first time in its history.
First baseman Abraham Toro, a nine-year MLB veteran, led Canada's lineup with seven hits in 15 at-bats, including a home run and two runs against Cuba on Wednesday. Each of the Naylor brothers, Josh and Bo, have four hits in the tournament.
Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka started Canada's opener, holding Colombia to one earned run in three innings, and could be in line to make Friday's start against the United States. Jameson Taillon could be another option for the Canadians.
Who stood out for Team USA in WBC pool play?
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The United States' young guard has been a driving force for the offense over the course of the tournament.
The Red Sox's Roman Anthony has driven in a team-best six runs in their four games. He had two hits in the opener and tagged a critical three-run home run against Mexico. Gunnar Henderson has five hits in 10 at-bats, including four hits and two RBI in the U.S. 9-1 victory over Great Britain.
Pete Crow-Armstrong nearly helped the United States claw back from eight runs down against Italy, ripping a pair of home runs to right field and collecting four RBI.
Aside from the United States' youth, the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber leads the team with six hits and six runs. Aaron Judge has two home runs and five RBI in four games but he was held 0-for-4 and struck out to end the game against Italy.
Examining Team USA pitching for WBC quarterfinals
While the United States has yet to announce a starting pitcher for Friday's quarterfinal game, the logical choice would be Logan Webb, who started the nation's opening game against Brazil on March 6.
The Giants right-hander would be fully rested after holding Brazil to one earned run on one hit — a solo home run — with six strikeouts in four innings. He threw 52 pitches.
Two-time defending American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will not pitch again in the WBC after registering a no-decision against Great Britain. That could open the door for Mets starter Clay Holmes as a candidate to start a potential semifinal after he struck out six in three innings against Britain.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Who does Team USA play next at World Baseball Classic after Italy won?
Continue reading...
