Japan vs Venezuela WBC live score: Ohtani and Acuna trade HR, how to watch
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Shohei Ohtani and reigning champ Japan face Venezuela team in WBC quarterfinals. Follow for updates.
Three-time World Baseball Classic champion Japan faces Venezuela in the tournament quarterfinals Saturday at loanDepot Park in Miami, with the winner set to play WBC surprise Italy in the semifinals on Monday.
Japan, the defending champion, went 4-0 in group play by outscoring opponents 34-9. Four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani went 5-for-9 with two home runs in his three games. The ballpark in Miami has been the site for some of Ohtani's greatest moments: winning the 2023 WBC title game and then clinching his 50-50 season here at loanDepot Park in 2024.
"This is the place I have very good memories," Ohtani told reporters a day before the game. "Of course, I'm not going to bring memories to the next game, but I think there is a very positive influence to myself."
Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez has led the way for Venezuela, batting .500 (7-for-14) with two homers, four doubles and 11 RBIs in four games. Venezuela went 3-1 in Pool D, losing to the Dominican Republic in the finale that determined the group winner.
World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for Japan, with All-Star lefty Ranger Suarez of the Boston Red Sox starting for Venezuela.
Shohei Ohtani and reigning champ Japan face Venezuela team in WBC quarterfinals. Follow for updates.
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