Mike Trout. Photo via MLB/Team USA

Only four teams remain in the 2023 WBC. Tonight, one team is going to punch their ticket to the championship game. That’ll either be Cuba or the USA. Meanwhile, tomorrow night, Mexico and Japan will play to see who makes up the other half of the WBC final. That aforementioned final is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 in Miami, Florida.

Cuba vs. USA, 7:00 PM ET

To get to the semifinals, Cuba defeated Australia 4-3. Before that, they won a weak Pool A by going 2-2 with victories over Panama and Chinese Taipei and losses to Italy and the Netherlands.

Offensively, Cuba is led by the White Sox duo of Yoan Moncada (1.259 OPS) and Luis Robert Jr. Additionally, Mexican league hitter, Yadir Drake, is also having a strong WBC as evident by his 1.029 OPS.

Cuba’s probable starter is Roenis Elías. He is a 34-year-old left-handed pitcher who is currently a part of the Cubs’ organization. He owns a career ERA of 3.96 across 395 2/3 career MLB innings. Elías struggled in spring training (7.71 ERA in 4 2/3 innings) before joining the WBC roster.

As for USA, the main reason why they are able to play in this game is because of an electric go-ahead eighth-inning grand slam courtesy of Trea Turner Saturday night against Venezuela. Each Pete Alonso and Adam Ottavino contributed to that victory, namely Alonso, who tallied a bloop hit to set the table for USA.

Prior to that, USA finished second in Pool C with a 3-1 record which included wins over Great Britain, Canada, and Colombia as well as a surprising 11-5 loss at the hands of Mexico.

Adam Wainwright is the probable starter for USA. The 41-year-old veteran wasn’t the sharpest against a lackluster Great Britain team in a pool stage game. He allowed five hits over four innings, but did only allow one run and struck out four.

Cuba Lineup

Cuba's lineup for tonight's semifinal matchup! pic.twitter.com/hiFBOJRSht

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 19, 2023

USA Lineup

Semifinal ready 🫡#ForGlory🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VotDN3bbIr

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) March 19, 2023

Tonight’s game is scheduled for a 7:00 PM ET first pitch. It will be televised on Fox Sports 1. The game will be held in Miami, FL at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.

The post WBC Game Thread: Cuba vs. USA, 7:00 P.M. appeared first on Metsmerized.

Sep 23, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) hits a three run home run and the 700th of his career against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Machine, Albert Pujols, hit his 699th and 700th career home runs Friday against the Dodgers. Not only did he achieve the incredible feat by hitting two home runs in one night, but he did it in Los Angeles, a city which he called home for a decade.

He became the fourth player all time to reach the 700 home run plateau, joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth.

To make matters even sweeter for Mets fans, Mets radio broadcaster Wayne Randazzo was on the call for Apple TV for both home runs. That means that his voice will live in infamy over the legendary moment forever.

The Mets also had a great day Friday. The Braves lost to the Phillies, and the Mets beat the Athletics 9-2. This pushed the Mets lead in the division to 2.5 games, and their magic number to clinch the NL East shrunk to 9. Chris Bello wrote a further recap of the victory.

Latest MLB News

Barry M. Bloom of Sportico wrote that Barry Bonds wants Aaron Judge to break his record, then sign with the Giants.

Marcus Stroman announced that he will be releasing a book to inspire young kids to become baseball players.

Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic reported that while the Orioles are likely not being sold any time soon, they added Goldman Sachs to the board.

Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported that Byron Buxton is having season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery.

Latest on MMO

Christian De Block wrote on the Mets extending their NL East lead.

Michael Mayer wrote that Mark Vientos and Darin Ruf need to get their bats going in the series against the Athletics, in which they will face three lefties.

Christian De Block wrote a series preview of the Mets series in Oakland.

Nick Rucco wrote the daily Mets Minors Recap, highlighted by Joey Lucchesi tossing another relief outing.

Scott Engel did an interview with rookie Met Brett Baty.

On This Date in Mets History

Birthdays: Drew Smith (29)

1969: The Miracle Mets clinched the National League Eastern division title with a win. The Mets that year were 9.5 games out of the division six weeks earlier, and they managed to clinch the division with over a six game lead. The club would go on to win the World Series that season, the first in franchise history.

2020: It was announced that if the sale of the Mets to Steve Cohen goes through, that he would bring former general manager of the club Sandy Alderson back for the ride.

The post Morning Briefing: Albert Pujols Hits Number 700 appeared first on Metsmerized.