USA vs. DR: World Baseball Classic in Semifinals, Epic Clash

United States vs. Dominican Republic: A Dream World Baseball Classic

The Dominican fans present at LoanDepot Park in Miami made their preference clear after the victory over Korea: “We want USA”. And their wishes were granted. The American team secured their place in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic with a 5-3 victory over Canada, setting the stage for an epic showdown. Star pitcher Paul Skenes, winner of the National League Cy Young award, will be the starter for the United States, facing the fearsome Dominican lineup. Luis Severino, right-handed pitcher for the Athletics, is expected to face a talented American team, but with an offensive performance yet to be proven.

“I hope it will be one of the best games of all time,” said Mark DeRosa, Team USA manager.

Mark DeRosa

The game, scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET in Miami, will be the first matchup between the two teams in the WBC since 2017, when the United States eliminated the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals, en route to their only title. The Dominican Republic also has one championship, obtained in 2013. While the Dominican Republic has outmatched its opponents with an impressive 51-10 run difference in its five WBC victories, the United States has struggled to score runs in recent games, generating a tense encounter against Canada.

Before an audience of 38,054 spectators at Daikin Park, the United States took a 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a run-scoring out by Kyle Schwarber, and added two more runs in the third. In the sixth inning, Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong drove in two more runs, extending the lead to 5-0.

American opener Logan Webb was cheered after pitching 4⅔ scoreless innings. He was replaced by Brad Keller, who allowed Canada’s first run. Then, Gabe Speier allowed a two-run home run to Bo Naylor, reducing the United States’ lead to 5-3.

After scoring 24 runs against Brazil and Great Britain in their first two WBC games, the United States offense has been largely ineffective. “If we are going to win this tournament, as we all believe we will, it will take more than home runs,” said United States captain Aaron Judge. “If there are times when we are not hitting home runs, we must play with strategy, move runners, do different things to create offense.” The Dominican Republic, on the other hand, has had no problems, batting .312/.453/.637 as a team and connecting 14 home runs, tying the record for most home runs by a team in the 20-year history of the WBC.

“They’re young. They have talent. From one to nine in that lineup, everyone can connect strongly. Everyone can hit for average. It’s one of the best countries in the world for baseball, so you expect them to be great, and that’s what they’re doing,” commented Bryce Harper, first baseman for the United States.

Bryce Harper

Skenes offers hope for the United States. He threw four nearly perfect innings during the 5-3 victory against Mexico, and DeRosa expects him to throw between 75 and 80 pitches.