Australia vs. Cuba in Planet Baseball Classic 2023

A trip to Miami and the semifinals is on the line when Australia and Cuba face every other at Tokyo Dome right now. Although Australia has currently exceeded expectations getting into the tournament — its 3 wins are a group record and it is by no means reached the second round just before — the group has created it clear it does not assume the job is completed.

“We’re not completed however,” group captain Tim Kennelly mentioned. “It is cool to get by means of the quarterfinals, and if we get by means of to Miami, the final 4 teams, that is going to be quite cool.”

Cuba completed as runners-up in the very first Planet Baseball Classic, but have been out of the major 4 considering the fact that. They will have tough-throwing righty Yariel Rodriguez commence in this game. He will not be awed by pitching at Tokyo Dome: Rodriguez posted a 1.15 ERA as a reliever for the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB final year.

Exactly where: Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

How you can watch: The game among Australia and Cuba is airing reside on FS2. Games are accessible on FOX, FS1, FS2 or FOX Deportes, and every single game can be streamed on line in the FOX Sports App. For international viewing possibilities, click right here.

How you can listen: Reside audio coverage of all games will be carried on Sirius XM, TuneIn, MLB.com and in the MLB App.

What’s at stake: What is at stake? It is win or go household! Australian baseball has currently had a Cinderella run and the energy-hitting group could continue to make history the farther they go in this tournament. Kennelly, reigning ABL MVP Award-winner Alex Hall and Robbie Glendinning have hit practically every thing pitchers have provided them, so it will be exciting to see if Cuba can lastly cool off the red-hot bats.

With two Key Leaguers — Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert — in the lineup this tournament for the very first time in Planet Baseball Classic history, Cuba could re-establish its standing as a single of the ideal teams in the globe with a victory. A trip to Miami and Tiny Havana awaits with a victory.

Matchup history: Cuba beat Australia five-four in the 2009 WBC and four-three in ’17.

Alfredo Despaigne, Cuba: Although the all-time leader in Planet Baseball Classic household runs (seven) hasn’t gone deep in this tournament, the veteran is nonetheless hitting the ball tough. Despaigne has a .429 typical and a 1.072 OPS with 3 RBIs. With 4 a lot more driven in, he’ll tie former Group Cuba teammate Frederich Cepeda for the most in tournament history.

Yoán Moncada, Cuba: White Sox fans ought to like what they’ve noticed so far. Coming off a tough 2022 season, Moncada has been on fire at the Classic. The infielder has a .353/.421/.647 slash line.

Aaron Whitefield, Australia: The speedy outfielder — he was a former softball player — has been critical to Australia’s possibilities with good defense and lots of speed on the basepaths. Hitting three-for-ten in the series, Whitefield has scored 4 runs and stolen two bases.

Tim Kennelly, Australia: In his third Planet Baseball Classic, the 37-year-old skilled firefighter is displaying he’s got lots left in the tank. He created two spectacular catches in Australia’s victory against the Czech Republic and lastly hit his very first WBC household run this time about.