Italy takes on Canada to initiate first round action at the World Baseball Classic at 2:05 p.m. ET. If they win, Italy could establish themselves as a favorite to advance out of the Pool D in the WBC. They will have to get by a Canadian team that is full of MLB talent.
On the mound for Italy will be righty Alex Maestri. For the Canadians, righty Shawn Hill will take the mound.
As far as rosters go, Canada brings a heap of talent led by Joey Votto, Justin Morneau and Brett Lawrie. Though he struggled last season, if given an opportunity, John Axford will be called on to close out the games.
However, attention to MLB talent can't be focused on. On Thursday, the Mexicans fell to the Italians late in the game. Mexico had a lead throughout the ball game, but they couldn't close it out and they depended on World Series champion and San Francisco Giants' closer, Sergio Romo, to capture the win. Italy simply didn't give up, fighting in at bats and putting the ball in play.
Anthony Rizzo, the young talent in the Chicago Cubs' organization, won the game with an opposite field double plating two in the top of the ninth.
Maybe it's because they didn't have a lot of MLB talent or because they aren't considered a baseball city, but the crowd was going crazy. It felt like Mexico vs. Italy was the championship game as announcers were super boisterous after every out or strike.
This one should be just as exciting as Italy goes into the matchup with a chance to lock up a top spot in Pool D.