Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, Mar 10.- Focused on making the necessary adjustments for the do-or-die game against Canada, the Cuban team is taking a day of rest today in the VI World Baseball Classic.
After falling 1-4 this Monday against host Puerto Rico, the first-place team in Group A, the team led by Germán Mesa is obliged to defeat the North Americans to advance to the tournament's quarterfinals.
Regardless of what happens today in the clash between the undefeated Puerto Ricans (3-0) and the Canadians (1-1), the definition of the second qualifying spot will occur on the final day of the preliminary phase.
Cuba produced only a couple of hits in its most recent game, maintaining the same lineup as the previous two games, where the offense was also not abundant, but home run production stood out.
Faced with such a slump, the high command might opt for some changes in the lineup to encourage run creation and put less stress on a pitching staff that will count on its best exponents for the crucial challenge.
Left-hander LivánMoinelo, who had a successful start last Friday against Panama, should return to the mound with the task of pitching as many innings as possible with the 65 pitches authorized for this stage of the Classic.
For the rest of the game, the best of the bullpen is available, led by major leaguer Yariel Rodríguez and the one nicknamed “el matador”RaidelMartínez, one of the most airtight closers in Japanese baseball.
In addition to the available spot in this segment, a spot also remains to be defined in Group B, where last night the United States (3-0) secured its advancement by defeating Mexico 5-3.
The United States' companion will come from the clash between Italy (2-0) and the Mexicans (2-1).
Also securing their participation in the quarterfinal games were the teams from Japan (3-0) and Korea (2-2) in Group C, and Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, both with 3-0 in Group D. (Text and photo: ACN)
