How to watch the World Baseball Classic Semifinals – Mexico vs. Japan, Cuba vs. USA
MIAMI — In an entertaining edition of the World Baseball Classic, just four teams remain who will attempt to snag their championship game tickets earlier this week.
- Watch the World Baseball Classic FuboTV (7-Day Free Trial)
United States vs Cuba
- If: Sunday March 19th
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Loan Depot Park (Miami, Florida)
- Channel: FOX Sports 1
- Electricity: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream
The “defending” WBC champion didn’t have it easy until Sunday. They fell to Mexico in the pool game but finished second in Pool C with a 3-1 record. Then, in the quarterfinals against Venezuela, the Americans needed a grand slam from Trea Turner to take the lead and give the US a 9-7 win. Although their racquets were excellent, the Americans will need their momentum to improve if they are to make the championship game for the second time in the event’s history.
Cuba made it to the championship’s opening match back in 2006 but has struggled to get deep into the tournament since, having not progressed that far since. But a mix of timely hitting and solid throwing helped Cuba take the top spot in the wild Pool A. They held off Australia in the quarters to earn their ticket to the semis. Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada was one of the team’s top hitters, hitting .421 with one homer and five RBIs.
- Watch the World Baseball Classic FuboTV (7-Day Free Trial)
Mexico vs Japan
- If: Monday, March 20th
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Loan Depot Park (Miami, Florida)
- Channel: FOX Sports 1
- Electricity: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream
Mexico has become the darling of the WBC, bouncing back from an early loss to Colombia to snatch Pool C and beat teams like the US and Canada to advance to the quarterfinals. There, they recovered from an early four-run deficit against Puerto Rico, sending the country to the semifinals of the tournament for the first time. Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena got into the clutch and hit .471 with six extra base hits and nine RBIs.
Japan’s early dominance of the tournament seems like a distant memory. After winning the first two editions of the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009, they failed to make the final four. Yet the superhuman Shohei Ohtani has led Japan to a string of dominating victories, conquering Pool B and beating Italy in the quarterfinals, putting the international power one win away from a league game.
Check out the WBC schedule here
