The 2023 World Baseball Classic continues Tuesday with four highly anticipated games, a pair in both Pool C and D.
Up first, Pool D group play took center stage, as Venezuela stopped Nicaragua in the day’s first game.
Later, Pool C was in action as Canada shut down Colombia (albeit losing Freddie Freeman during the game), followed by Israel battling the Dominican Republic in the second Pool D game (7 p.m. ET). To close things out for Pool C, Great Britain will be up against Mexico (10 p.m. ET).
Group play for Pool A, which took place in Taichung, Taiwan, wrapped Sunday, with Cuba and Italy advancing to the quarterfinals. Elsewhere, in Tokyo, group play for Pool B wrapped earlier Monday, with Japan and Australia advancing.
The WBC began March 7 and will end on March 21 with the championship game (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET, FS1) in Florida. Quarterfinal games will take place March 15-18, followed by the semifinals from March 19-20.
Games are airing across FOX, FS1, FS2 and are available to stream on the FOX Sports app. View the full schedule here.
Here are the top plays!
Israel vs. Dominican Republic (Pool D)
Got him swinging!
19-year-old minor leaguer Jacob Steinmetz has likely never seen a bigger stage than this one. But his manager entrusted with him starting duties a huge spot, and he looked solid early on, retiring multi-time All-Star Manny Machado via strikeout in the first inning.
Right on the nose
The DR took a 1-0 in the bottom of the first though, courtesy of this screaming liner from Eljoy Jimenez.
FINAL: Canada 5, Colombia 0 (Pool C)
Playing for something bigger
Colombia starting pitcher Harold Ramirez’s blue hair was easily distinguishable on camera, and according to Jon Morosi, that’s exactly how he wanted it to be.
Defense to offense
After a clutch strikeout and throw out, Canada struck first in the top of the fourth inning on a looping fly ball from Bo Naylor.
Family affair
Rio Gomez, son of the late Pedro Gomez, got his chance to shine for the Colombian squad, and made the most of it with his mother in attendance, pitching a scoreless inning in the sixth.
Laying it out there
Canada was knocking on the door for another run in the seventh, but Oscar Mercado stretched out for a diving grab to prevent the run.
Freeman leaves game
Dodgers star first baseman Freddie Freeman left the game after a hamstring injury during a swing.
Moonshot!
After plating one more run late in the game, Canada steamrolled ahead with a towering home run ball off the bat of Otto Lopez. And you just have to hear how it sounded.
Canada shut things down in the bottom half of the inning to put themselves in great position for advancement.
FINAL: Venezuela 4. Nicaragua 1 (Pool D)
Down in order!
Nicaragua starting pitcher Erasmo Ramírez was cooking early, retiring three straight Venezuelan batters in the first inning to give his squad some early momentum.
Full house
Nicaragua went up 1-0 after loading the bases in the second inning, plating its first run on this dribbler up the middle.
Holding steadfast
After Nicaragua pushed Eduardo Rodriguez out of the game with seven hits, reliever José Ruiz cleaned up shop with three outs in just three pushes to help Venezuela out of the inning.
Even!
Venezuela knotted the tally at 1 with a double from Andres Gimenez, which scored Ronald Acuña Jr.
Two more!
The fourth inning was huge for the Venezuelan troupe, which plated two more runs courtesy of a double from Eugenio Suarez.
Anthony Santander added to their lead in the fifth, smacking an RBI double into center to put them up 3.
Closing in style
José Quijada broke out his patented jersey, and Suarez flashed some pretty glove skills as Venzuela kept its opponent’s offense at bay to end the matchup with a 4-1 win. Nicaragua will now have to requalify for the 2026 event.
COMING UP:
Great Britain vs. Mexico (Pool C) 10 p.m. ET, FS1
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