World Baseball Classic semifinals: Venezuela vs. Italy

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 14: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of Italy looks on from the dugout in the fourth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game against Puerto Rico at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We’re just one game away from the finale of what’s been an unforgettable World Baseball Classic. Team USA punched their ticket to the Championship Game last night with a pitching masterclass to silence the potent Dominican Republic lineup, clinging on to a narrow 2-1 victory. Relative tournament upstarts Venezuela and Italy face off tonight for the right to play the US on Tuesday in Miami and hoist the WBC trophy for the first time.

Venezuela eliminated tournament favorites, defending champions, and three-time winners Japan on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani popping out to end the game. Italy meanwhile have been the story of the tournament — surprise winners of a Pool B that include the US — and undefeated thanks to espresso-fueled slugfests and led by captain Vinnie Pasquantino and his three-homer game against Mexico.

The question tonight is whether Aaron Nola will be able to hold down the star-studded Venezuela lineup. The former Phillies ace was brilliant in his lone start of the tournament — five scoreless innings allowing four hits and a walk with five strikeouts against Mexico in the final pool play game.

However, Venezuela is another story entirely, led by former NL MVP and leadoff hitter Ronald Acuña Jr. There are All-Stars up and down the batting order — the Royals’ Maikel Garcia at third, the Giants’ Luis Arraez at first, former and current Red Eugenio Suárez at DH, Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, Boston’s Wilyer Abreu in left, and the pair of Milwaukee stars William Contreras behind the plate and Jackson Chourio in center. If Nola can keep them in check, he’ll hand the ball over to an Italy bullpen featuring several former Yankees including Adam Ottavino, Greg Weissert, and Ron Marinaccio.

How to watch

Location: loanDepot park — Miami, FL

First pitch: 8:00 pm ET

TV broadcast: FS1

Radio broadcast: MLB.com

Online stream: Fox Sports App

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Team Venezuela’s lineup vs Italy tonight:

1) Acuña Jr. RF
2) Garcia 3B
3) Arraez 1B
4) Suarez DH
5) Tovar SS
6) Torres 2B
7) Abreu LF
8) Contreras C
9) Chourio CF

William Contreras replaces Salvador Perez with a trip to the WBC final on the line pic.twitter.com/caS4eeldVR

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 16, 2026

Team Italy’s lineup vs. Venezuela tonight

1) Antonacci SS
2) Berti 2B
3) Marsee CF
4) Pasquantino 1B
5) Dezenzo DH
6) Caglianone RF
7) Fisher 3B
8) D’Orazio C
9) Nori LF pic.twitter.com/yszc2ZLKFn

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 16, 2026

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