The World Baseball Classic awaits for its last two qualifiers.
Foto:
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images
The 2023 World Baseball Classic is still waiting to meet its last two qualifiers who will come out of the qualifiers that are currently being played in Panama where There are only four teams left: Argentina, Nicaragua, Brazil and the locals.
Brazil and Panama star in the key that will begin this Tuesday and will decide the penultimate classified to the tournament. This meeting could have a taste of revenge for the Central Americans since both faced each other in the eliminatory round of the 2013 edition and the quota ended up being taken by the Brazilians after achieving two victories by 2-3 and 0-1.
Panama relies on its status as a local
Panama comes to this game after thrashing Argentina 0-11, it also has the home field advantage, with former New York Mets shortstop Rubén Tejada as the leader and the only active Panamanian from that 2012 tie.
In that sense, the Panamanian coach, Luis Ortiz, stated that he had full confidence in his players and affirmed that they have what it takes to win and win the World Cup ticket.
“This team is special. We are prepared to play this game tomorrow”, said the Panamanian pilot. “We are expected to play good baseball. The Brazilian team is good, we have good players. Tomorrow when the game starts, we will decide what will happen“, he added.
Brazil says experience is their advantage
For its part, the Brazilian ninth has Leonardo Reginatto as the main offensive weapon and with the World Series champion with the Kansas City Royals, Paulo Orlandoboth survivors of the 2012 team that qualified for the World Classic after precisely defeating Panama.
Precisely Reginatto spoke this Monday before the media and pointed out that Brazil has more experience and more developed players than a few years ago. “There are a lot of guys that have come through Major League organizations. I think we have more experience and that helps us play better baseball.”
For the first game of this key, the Panamanian team will send lefty Ariel Jurado to the mound, who stressed that he was not confident. “You must not underestimate the rival, I have been preparing for this”.
For his part, the manager of Brazil, Steve Finley, has appointed right-hander Ariel Rienzo as his starter, who was also present in the 2013 World Classic qualification.
It should be noted that the loser of this match will have one more opportunity to qualify facing the winner of the series between Argentina and Nicaragua.
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