Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. WBC Semifinals:
After Team USA’s exciting win over the Dominican Republic yesterday, this evening’s game will decide who they face in the finals of this year’s World Baseball Classic. Despite coming in as a clear underdog, Team Italy has yet to lose a game, going 4-0 (including a win over Team USA) in pool play and taking down Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. They’ll send veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen to the mound at 8pm ET in Miami to take on Team Venezuela, who will counter with young righty Keider Montero. Venezuela managed to take down the reigning champions (Samurai Japan) in their last game and certainly has the stronger lineup of the two; Vinnie Pasquantino is Italy’s only hitter with multiple seasons of above-average offense in the majors, although they’re not short on interesting young hitters (e.g. Jakob Marsee, Jac Caglianone, Dominic Canzone). Venezuela, meanwhile, rosters Luis Arráez, Eugenio Suárez, Salvador Pérez, Maikel Garcia, Ronald Acuña Jr., Wilyer Abreu, Jackson Chourio and the Contreras brothers (among others). Will Italy be able to pull another rabbit out of their hats, or will Venezuela stop their Cinderella run?
2. Vasil being evaluated for elbow soreness:
White Sox right-hander Mike Vasil left his start over the weekend with elbow soreness, and yesterday MLB.com’s Scott Merkin relayed that Vasil is undergoing further evaluation to determine the nature of the issue. Vasil himself said Sunday morning that “something just didn’t feel right” during his start and that the team is running additional tests to figure out a path forward. Vasil, 26 later this week, was one of the team’s most effective relievers last year with a 2.50 ERA in 101 innings of work despite less impressive peripheral numbers. He’s been stretched out as a starter but has long appeared unlikely to crack the rotation for the White Sox, who added Anthony Kay, Erick Fedde, and Sean Newcomb this winter.
3. Suzuki to undergo imaging:
Over on the north side of Chicago, Cubs fans are waiting to hear more about the injury Seiya Suzuki suffered playing for Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic over the weekend. Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters (including Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun Times) yesterday that Suzuki was still traveling to Cubs camp and that they wouldn’t be able to send him for testing until today. That could mean that the Cubs will have an update on the slugger’s status as soon as today. If Suzuki were to miss time, non-roster veterans Michael Conforto and Dylan Carlson would join third baseman-turned-utilityman Matt Shaw among the options to get right field reps in Suzuki’s stead.
Tonight’s game would have been so much more intriguing if Teel hadn’t gotten injured.
A huge portion of the crowd will be supporting Venezuela, probably only 20% supporting Italia.
Gotta root for the underdog though, and starting pitching definitely favors Italia.
Yeah not super happy that Teel got hurt but whatever at least he can take his time and recover.
Im an American of Italian heritage. Grandparents on both sides were from Naples.
I’ll be rooting for Italy…which should really be called the italian American team lol
rob – If Italia wins tonight it could have a huge impact on the popularity of baseball in Italy, which should lead to more Italians playing in the WBC and MLB in the future.
Cubs have depth and there’s only like 10 days until opening day, Suzuki will miss time and that’s okay.
He always does…..
But agree. Those two vets and Shaw will more than manage.
If they were to “more than manage”, Suzuki won’t have a job when he returns. The backup plan is never as good.
Nobody could’ve predicted Italy vs Venezuela in the semi finals. This has been a great tournament.
We certainly got a glimpse into baseball a week and a half from now last night.
That last pitch would be an instant helmet tap and we will see games going from dugout rushes to the mound for a win to a guy trotting to first and a new batter coming up.
Going to be very interesting on how teams manage/hold challenges as the season progresses.