Team Italy and Team Venezuela Semifinal Matchup
Following Team Italy’s 8-6 win against Team Puerto Rico and Team Venezuela’s 8-5 victory over Team Japan on March 14, Team Italy and Team Venezuela will battle it out in the semifinals to see who takes on Team USA in the final matchup of the World Baseball Classic.
The semifinal game between Team Italy and Team Venezuela will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16. All eyes will be on LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
Team Venezuela Seems to Be the Favorite
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Following a win over the defending champions, Team Japan, Team Venezuela will make its first appearance in the semifinals since 2009. Despite a loss to Team Dominican Republic in pool play, Team Venezuela has remained a force.
Ronald Acuna Jr and Maikel Garcia are some of the most notable power hitters in Team Venezuela’s lineup. Team Venezuela will need players like Jackson Chourio, Gleyber Torres, and Eugenio Suarez to step up offensively in order to win.
Keider Montero, having thrown three scoreless innings in a combined shutout with Yoendrys Gómez, will find himself on the mound for the semifinal game. Since the game against Team Japan forced Team Venezuela to use many of their top bullpen arms, Montero will need to give Team Venezuela as many innings as possible. However, his notable struggle with lefty hitters could be the factor that tips the scale in Team Italy’s favor, as the majority of Team Italy’s lineup includes left-handed hitters.
Team Italy Shows Promise in World Baseball Classic
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Team Italy has made a remarkable stride in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as an undefeated team. This is the first time in tournament history that the team will play in a semifinal game. In short, Team Italy needs to keep on hitting. With good players like Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone, and Dominic Canzone, the lefty hitters in Team Italy’s lineup look promising. Overall, the team has an OPS of .982. Team Italy had hit the second most home runs with 12 in the tournament. They trail behind the Dominican Republic team, which hit 15, yet faced a tough loss to Team USA on Sunday night. Team Italy’s home runs, led by Pasquantino with three and Dante Nori with two, helped them remain undefeated at 5-0 through the tournament. Hopes of continuing the streak in the semifinal against Team Venezuela remain.
With every player under the age of 24 and only four players on the roster making a second WBC appearance, Italy’s team has been viewed as an underdog. However, if RHP Aaron Nola pitches like he did in his first start of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, ringing up seven swing and misses with his curveball in five scoreless innings in a pool play game against Team Mexico, they will be in good hands. Nola allowed only five baserunners during that game.
Team Italy and Team Venezuela Showdown
Notably, this is not the first time Team Italy and Team Venezuela have battled it out in a World Baseball Classic game. It would, however, be a first if Team Italy came out victorious. Prior to 2026, the two teams faced off in three games in 2006 and 2009. Team Venezuela won all three games with a combined score of 23-1.
The game will be broadcast on FS1 in the US and on Netflix in Japan. So, regardless of who you’re rooting for, tune in and watch. It will undoubtedly be a game to remember in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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