The United States, the defending champions, meets Japan in the final of the World Baseball Classic
The final of the World Baseball Classic is between the United States and Japan. American baseball players were too strong for Cuba in the semi-finals in Miami (14-2), and Japan defeated Mexico 6-5 in a real thriller. The unofficial final of the World Cup of Baseball will take place on Tuesday night at MLB’s Miami Marlins.
The United States defends its title. They won the previous edition of the WBC in 2017, which is the only baseball tournament that major league professionals also participate in. Japan awaits in the final, which won the first two WBC editions in 2006 and 2009.
The Japanese are the only undefeated team in this tournament. In the semi-final against Mexico, however, things were not so good for the Asians after six rounds, who were trailing 3-0 at the time. Thanks to Masataka Yoshida’s home run with two men on base, Japan tied the score in the seventh inning. Mexico took the lead again in the next game (5-4), but Munetaka Murakami beat Japan to the final in the ninth and final game. He hit the ball high and far, allowing teammates Shuhei Ohtani and Ukyo Shoto to reach home plate.
The WBC Netherlands Kingdom team started with two wins, but then lost twice and faltered in the group stage. The Orange reached the semi-finals in 2013 and 2017.
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