The date is here as the United States face Puerto Rico once again in the World Baseball Classic elimination game. Check out the schedule for this pivotal Pool 2 game as the Puerto Ricans look to get payback and Team USA looks to get back on the win column.
Puerto Rico vs. USA begins at 7 p.m. ET. The U.S. is fresh off their 3-1 loss against the Dominican Republic, while Puerto Rico will look to feed off their Wednesday comeback win against Italy.
For Team USA, there's no doubt that they missed David Wright in their loss to the Dominicans. However, credit has to be given to the Dominican Republic's pitching which held this offense to a single run. The Americans also have to receive credit as their bullpen held it down for a good portion of the game until Craig Kimbrel was immediately attacked by Nelson Cruz after he doubled on the first pitch he saw in the top of the ninth.
The good news for the U.S., and hopefully for them it's not too late, is that R.A. Dickey gave a solid performance pitching five innings of one run baseball and giving his team the chance to win on Thursday.
While we're on the subject of pitching, on the mound for the United States, who comes into the game as the home team, will be Ryan Vogelsong. Though he didn't have a completely solid outing in his first WBC start, he led the USA victory over Italy going four innings, giving up two runs on six hits while walking none and striking out four.
Also a winner in his first and only WBC outing was Nelson Figueroa of Puerto Rico. He also went four innings and gave up two runs on five hits with only one strikeout.
So far in the tournament, Team USA possesses the advantage in hitting. They the better stats all around: RBI, OPS, Slugging, Batting Avg. You name it and the Americans have produced better at the plate. The U.S. also possesses a slight advantage in pitching posting a lower ERA, (3.00 USA- 3.27 P.R.). Puerto Rico's bullpen has been more effective in the crunch racking up three saves in the tournament.
Check back to Sports World Report where we will bring you predictions, live scoring updates and a live stream to watch from your computer. For those who will be at home, tune into MLB Network to watch the game.
Both of these teams met on Tuesday and the USA defeated Puerto Rico 7-1.
