This probably isn't the stage where everybody wanted Cuba and Japan to faceoff, but both countries will play Wednesday to close off round one at the World Baseball Classic. It will basically be an exhibition matchup as both teams are in the second round, but with the talent and drive these guys have, this game will be played as if it were the championship.
Cuba comes into the tournament ranked No. 1 overall. They have simply dominated international tournaments and possess some of the more talented baseball players in the world. Look at Yoenis Cespedes and Aroldys Chapman, both are fresh faces and are doing a great job adapting to the MLB.
As for Japan, Ichiro is still the biggest baseball player from the country. Though none of these three players are active in the WBC, they are examples of the talent both countries possess and can produce.
Japan is currently ranked third behind the U.S. in the rankings. However, they are the winners of the first two World Baseball Classics played. Most recently, in 2009, they were locked in a battle with Korea. They won. In 2006, they met with the Cubans and demolished them 10-6 to win the first ever WBC.
So far in 2013, they battled back against Brazil and then comfortably defeated China 5-2.
Cuba recently put on a show in their last game. They crushed China 12-0, blowing them out and enforcing the first mercy rule of the tournament. They were briefly scared by Brazil as they trailed 0-2 early on, but then turned it up scoring five runs. They defeated Brazil 5-2.
Game Date: Wednesday, Mar. 6
Game Time: 5 a.m. ET/7 p.m. Local Time
You can watch the game live on MLB Network or check back with us as we will provide a free live stream.
