Venezuela vs Italy WBC live updates: Italy goes for the kill, leads 2-1 in sixth
USA TODAY
Italy and Venezuela face off in the WBC semifinal for a spot in the championship game against Team USA.
Two countries will once again be raptly watching a World Baseball Classic semifinal March 16 when Venezuela and Italy play for the right to take on Team USA a night later.
It's just a little different sensation for the upstarts from Europe.
"Just imagine in the south of Italy they don't play that much baseball. Yesterday everyone was watching the game," Italy manager Francisco Cervelli said of their quarterfinal win over Puerto Rico.
Do the Italians (5-0) have one more mini-miracle in them? They'll send Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola to the mound against Venezuelan right-hander Keider Montero.
Montero has started for the Detroit Tigers but will begin this year in Class AAA due to their newfound pitching depth. He can likely count on significant support from a lineup that's clicking at the top, with Ronald Acuña Jr. (1.125 OPS), Luis Arráez (1.304) and Maikel Garcia (1.134) keeping Venezuela (4-1) well-fed. They're coming off a jarring 8-5 upset of defending champion Japan, keyed by a Wilyer Abreu three-run homer.
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