Italy’s win over Mexico ensures U.S. still in contention for title.
A day after being left on the brink of elimination following a loss to Italy, the U.S. team advanced to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals thanks to another Italy win.
Italy’s 9-1 win over Mexico on March 11 capped a 4-0 pool play record for the victors, who defeated the U.S. the night before, 8-6.
That loss left the U.S. 3-1 in pool play and set up a potential three-way tie between Italy, the U.S. and Mexico. Had Mexico defeated Italy, the tiebreaker to determine the top two teams advancing from the pool would have gone to runs allowed divided by defensive outs in the games between the three teams.
But Mexico’s loss dropped them to 2-2 and ensured the U.S. would advance to the single-elimination rounds.
The U.S. will face Canada at 8 p.m. ET Friday in Houston. The winner will face either Korea or the Dominican Republic in the semifinals Sunday in Miami, with the championship game March 17. The Dominican Republic team is managed by American Legion Baseball alumnus Albert Pujols (Post 340/Independence, Mo.)
Here’s a look at how the six American Legion Baseball alumni on the U.S. team have fared so far in this year’s World Baseball Classic:
Alex Bregman (Albuquerque, N.M.). In three games, Bregman is 1-of-7 at the plate with a double, 3 runs scored, 3 RBIs, 5 walks and 1 strikeout.
Bryce Harper (Las Vegas). In four games, Harper has hit 3-of-15 with 3 runs scored, 1 RBI, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.
Gunnar Henderson (Post 20/Selma, Ala.). In two games, Henderson is 5-for-10 with 1 double and 1 home run, 1 run scored, three RBIs and four strikeouts.
Cal Raleigh (Post 47/Waynesville, N.C.). Raleigh is 0-for-6 at the plate in two games but has an RBI on three walks and three strikeouts.
Pitchers Michael Wacha (Texarkana, Tex.) and Garrett Whitlock (Post 233/Loganville, Ga.) have each made one appearance so far. Whitlock earned a save with 1 inning of shutout ball, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 2. Wacha allowed 3 runs and 4 hits, including a home run, in a 3-inning relief appearance in which he also struck out 5.
World Baseball Classic quarterfinals
March 13: Korea vs. Dominican Republic in Miami, 6:30 p.m. ET (FS2)
March 13: U.S. vs. Canada in Houston, 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
March 14: Puerto Rico vs. Italy in Houston, 3 p.m. ET (FOX)
March 14: Venezuela vs. Japan in Miami, 9 p.m. ET (FOX)
Semifinals
March 15: Korea/Dominican Republic winner vs. U.S./Canada winner in Miami, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
March 16: Puerto Rico/Italy winner vs. Venezuela/Japan winner in Miami, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Championship
March 17: Semifinal winners in Miami, 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
More details: https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic.
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