The World Baseball Basic has been every part it promised to be and extra, because the match has given followers a number of the greatest motion and ambiance that the game has to supply.

And now, it is time for the ultimate 4 groups to struggle it out in Miami at loanDepot Park.

There have been dominant performances by acquainted stars in addition to big upsets, with title favorites just like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico being knocked out sooner than anybody anticipated.

The semifinals are positive to deliver extra of the identical as Cuba, Japan, Mexico and the USA all look to be topped because the world’s greatest in what has been essentially the most watched and attended WBC for the reason that match started in 2006.

Here is the schedule for the remainder of the match and a preview of every semifinal matchup.

Up to date World Baseball Basic Schedule

Semifinal 1: Cuba vs. USA, March 19, 7 p.m. ET on FS1

Semifinal 2: Mexico vs. Japan, March 20, 7 p.m. ET on FS1

Closing: March 21, 7 p.m. ET on FS1

Cuba vs. USA

All the time one for the dramatics, Workforce USA left it late in its spectacular quarterfinal matchup towards Venezuela to punch its ticket to the ultimate 4.

An eighth-inning grand slam by Trea Turner was arguably the most important hit of the match, because it gave the reigning champions a 9-7 lead that they might by no means relinquish.

Whereas Workforce USA has performed nicely all through the match, it hasn’t been as dominant as anticipated when the roster was first introduced. The group did not high its pool after being surprised by Mexico.

However carrying over the electrical energy from Saturday’s win might spark the People to an look within the ultimate in entrance of their residence followers.

In the meantime, Cuba is maybe the least heralded of all of the groups to make it to the semifinals, although not for an absence of expertise. Present and former MLB gamers like Yoán Moncada, Luis Robert Jr. and Yoenis Cespedes are representing the nation.

Cuba superior as the highest group in Pool A after successful an advanced five-way tiebreaker as everybody within the group went 2-2. The group then went on to squeeze previous Australia 4-3 within the quarterfinals.

Though it would not have as a lot expertise on paper as the USA, Cuba actually has the kind of firepower that might give the People some hassle if they are not cautious Sunday.

Mexico vs. Japan

Whereas most followers anticipated Japan to make it to this stage of the match—if not go on to win the entire thing—Mexico has crashed the semifinals social gathering after it topped the USA in Pool C play and beat Puerto Rico in an electrifying quarterfinal matchup.

Mexico has been sparked by Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, who may simply be the participant of the match to this point, a powerful feat contemplating all the celebrities collaborating.

Arozarena, who’s Cuban-born however turned a Mexican citizen in 2022, has been on an absolute tear hitting .471/.625/.941 with a house run and 9 RBIs, the latter of which is nice for second-most within the match.

He has additionally performed large and clutch protection.

Mexico could have its work reduce out for it, nevertheless, as they tackle a Japan group that has appeared just like the WBC’s greatest up thus far after finishing dominating Pool B after which cruising to a 9-3 quarterfinal win over Italy.

Japan has what appears to be an ideal mix of offense and pitching, with gamers like Shohei Ohtani, Masataka Yoshida, Yu Darvish and Rōki Sasaki all taking part in big roles within the group’s run to this point.