Who will face Team USA? We find out tonight

The Lineup: Pregame Edition

Monday, March 16

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Jackson Chourio of Venezuela vs. Jac Caglianone of Italy in World Baseball Classic semifinals

Welcome to The Pregame Lineup, a weekday newsletter that gets you up to speed on everything you need to know in baseball, while catching you up on fun and interesting stories you might have missed. Thanks for being here.

Team USA is in. Italy and Venezuela, you’re up.

We’ll find out tonight (8 p.m. ET, FS1) which one of those two teams will be joining the Americans in the World Baseball Classic final when they face off at loanDepot park in Miami.

Italy’s team of “beaned-up” boppers has carried the Azzurri to a 5-0 record thus far, including an 8-6 win over Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. Venezuela, meanwhile, is 4-1 and flying high after knocking out Japan, the defending champs.

The winner of tonight’s matchup will meet Team USA for WBC glory on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, FOX).

For the United States, this is nothing new. Team USA has reached the championship game in each of the past three Classics. They won it all in 2017 before losing to Japan in ’23.

But neither Italy nor Venezuela has ever gotten that far.

This is the first semifinals appearance for Italy, which won five games combined in its first four Classic appearances before advancing to the quarterfinals in 2023, where it lost to Japan. Italy has already defeated the Americans in this tournament, notching an 8-6 win in pool play.

Venezuela made it to the semis in 2009 but lost to Korea, 10-2. It was six outs away from another semifinals appearance three years ago, facing Team USA in the quarterfinals at loanDepot park, but its hopes were dashed when Trea Turner hit a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning. Venezuela can set up a rematch against the United States with a win on the same field tonight.

Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s game:

Venezuela

1. Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
2. Maikel Garcia, 3B
3. Luis Arraez, 1B
4. Eugenio Suárez, DH
5. Ezequiel Tovar, SS
6. Gleyber Torres, 2B
7. Wilyer Abreu, LF
8. William Contreras, C
9. Jackson Chourio, CF

Italy

1. Sam Antonacci, SS
2. Jon Berti, 2B
3. Jakob Marsee, CF
4. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
5. Zach Dezenzo, DH
6. Jac Caglianone, RF
7. Andrew Fischer, 3B
8. J.J. D’Orazio, C
9. Dante Nori, LF

— Thomas Harrigan 

TICKET TO RIDE

Roman Anthony

Not many people can say they’ve watched an epic game from the stands — and then hit a clutch go-ahead homer on the very same diamond. But Roman Anthony has done just that.

Anthony, the Red Sox slugger who’s popped a couple of dingers for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic — including the decisive solo shot in the team’s 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic in Sunday’s semifinal — has displayed these heroics just three years after buying a ticket to attend the 2023 Classic championship game between the U.S. and Japan.

When Team USA seemed likely to play in the final of the 2023 Classic, Anthony and a few Minor League teammates bought tickets and made the drive from Spring Training in Fort Myers to Miami. The experience was electric — with Shohei Ohtani striking out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure the title for Japan — but this year’s Classic is obviously on another level.

“I can tell you that being on the field is a whole lot better,” Anthony told reporters last week after Team USA’s win against Mexico.

The 21-year-old Anthony watched previous World Baseball Classics as a kid and dreamed of playing in one. He’s gone from dream to reality in just three years — and he won’t need a ticket for this year’s championship game.

“It’s unbelievable, getting to play baseball like this, this early in the year,” he said. “It means a little bit more playing for your country and representing.”

— Jason Foster 

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Jake Fraley's daughter, Avery

• Surrounded by family and cheering hospital staff, Avery Fraley, 7-year-old daughter of Rays outfielder Jake Fraley, rang the bell to mark the end of her two-year cancer treatment.

• Tarik Skubal wanted to meet living legend Max Scherzer before they faced off on Saturday, but “I’ve heard he’s kinda crazy on his start day.” Luckily, they ran into each other in the workout facility afterwards.

• Francisco Lindor logged a single in his first game of the spring yesterday as he recovers from hand surgery, while former teammate José Ramírez is day to day after jamming his shoulder on the basepaths.

• Led by Robbie Ray’s spotless start, the Giants came one out away from a combined perfect game against the Brewers yesterday.


• All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz — and his famous cat Matilda — are back at Mariners camp after an exciting run with Team Mexico at the WBC. 

HOW CAGS GOT HIS MOJO BACK

Jac Caglianone

A .532 OPS in your rookie season tends to lower expectations, even for one of baseball’s top prospects.

But Jac Caglianone has reset them in a hurry this spring. Blasting three balls over 115 mph — including one at 120.2 mph — in less than a week will do that.

That’s what the Royals outfielder did early in Kansas City’s Spring Training slate, before leaving to join Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic. He’s continued to mash at the WBC, helping Italy reach the semifinals with a .364/.563/.727 slash, one homer, four RBIs and five runs scored over four games.

It’s a reminder of why there was so much hype around Caglianone — the No. 6 overall Draft pick in 2024 — before a forgettable rookie year that saw him hit just .157 with a 49 OPS+ over 232 plate appearances.

Read more from Thomas Harrigan >> 

PLAY DAILY WALKOFF

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Put your baseball brain to the test with Daily Walkoff, where you can find 30 brand-new trivia puzzles every day, one for each team. Play Daily Walkoff >> 

 

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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