Cuba faces the Netherlands in the first second-round matchup of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The action is set to take off at 10 p.m. ET, though the Netherlands present a tough opponent, this is Cuba's game to win.
The Cubans are simply red hot. Their offense has awoken and they're averaging over seven runs per game while their pitching has been terrific allowing just five runs in their first three games in the round robin.
Cuba will have a tough assignment getting hits off of the Netherland's Diegomar Markwell who went four innings allowing no runs on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts against Brazil in the first round of the WBC.
Cuban pitching will have a tough task controlling Andrelton Simmons, who has been red hot and doing a phenomenal job at the top of the lineup for the Netherlands. He's been setting the table getting four hits, scoring three runs and driving one in in the first round.
However, as the Netherland's lineup features some trouble, the Cuban team is simply on fire. They are averaging 10 hits per game and are taking advantage of mistakes hitting home runs when a pitch is left up in the strikezone. They made the Fukuoka Dome in Japan look like a backyard.
With the Cuban team it's like you're picking your poison. When it's not Alfredo Despaigne, it's Jose Abreu doing the damage. They can get you with hits and they can also hit the long ball.
On the mound for Cuba will be Ismel Jimenez who almost went five innings against Brazil. He allowed four hits and no walks while striking out six batters. The righty veteran is no joke and comes right after his hitters.
Final score: Cuba wins 7-2 against the Netherlands to continue their undefeated streak at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
