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

USA Lineup

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.