The Italian national baseball team takes the field tonight in Miami, facing Venezuela for a spot in the World Baseball Classic final. The Azzurri, entering the semifinal undefeated and fresh off a stunning victory over the United States, are aiming for a historic run in the tournament that has effectively replaced the official Baseball World Cup.
The semifinal matchup between Italy and Venezuela is scheduled for 1:00 AM Italian time (12:00 AM GMT/7:00 PM EST) on Monday, March 16th, and Tuesday, March 17th. Venezuela advanced after eliminating the defending champion Japan. Italy, led by manager Francisco Cervelli, is looking to continue its improbable journey after defeating Puerto Rico in the quarterfinal round, a milestone achievement for the program.
“This Italy has shown character, especially in the last two games,” Cervelli said, as reported by the Italian Baseball Federation (Fibs). “If someone can’t perform their task, whoever comes in to replace them gets the job done and finishes it. That’s how Jacob came in, then DeLucia, and between the seventh and eighth innings (of the game against Puerto Rico), Weissert came in and put out the fire. In baseball, We find moments like these: it can be your night, or it can’t. You can win by a large margin, or you can win with difficulty; the important thing is to win.”
Italy’s run to the semifinal is a historic accomplishment. “Imagine experiencing all of this for the first time and reaching the semifinal. It’s incredible. It’s fantastic. This is one of the most beautiful chapters of my life,” Cervelli concluded. “It’s something extraordinary. This group is phenomenal. Now we are in the semifinal and will face the best.”
The Italian team enters the semifinal with an unblemished record, having secured four victories in the group stage and one in the elimination round. Venezuela, meanwhile, suffered a loss against the Dominican Republic but otherwise boasts four wins in the tournament.
Tonight, Michael Lorenzen will take the mound as Italy’s starting pitcher, while Keider Montero will lead Venezuela. Lorenzen, 34, has impressed throughout the tournament, notably delivering nearly five innings of scoreless baseball against the United States. Should Italy advance, Aaron Nola is expected to start in the final.
Cervelli has made a couple of roster adjustments for the semifinal. Left-handed pitcher Joe Jacques will replace Dylan DeLucia, who threw 58 pitches in the quarterfinal and is ineligible to pitch tonight due to pitch count rules. Infielder Brayan Rocchio will take the roster spot of Miles Mastrobuoni, who was injured against the United States.
Where to Watch Italy-Venezuela, WBC Semifinal, on TV
The Italy-Venezuela semifinal at the World Baseball Classic will be broadcast live on Rai 2 in Italy and streamed on Rai Play. The game will also be available on Sky Sport Uno and Sky Sport Max, as well as streamed on Sky Move and Now.
This Italian squad has captured the attention of the baseball world with its unexpected success. Having defeated a heavily favored United States team in the group stage, Italy has proven it can compete with the best. The team’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity have been key to their success. The victory over Puerto Rico further solidified their position as a legitimate contender.
The stakes are high as Italy aims to reach the final and potentially claim the title of World Baseball Classic champion. A win tonight would not only be a historic achievement for Italian baseball but also a testament to the team’s hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit. The game promises to be a thrilling contest between two determined teams vying for a place in baseball history.
Following tonight’s semifinal, the winner will face either the United States or the Dominican Republic in the championship game. The final is scheduled for March 20th. Fans can stay updated on the tournament’s progress and results through official WBC channels and sports news outlets.
