World Baseball Classic 2013: Games and TV schedule for Saturday
Several top teams find themselves in must win games today as World Baseball Classic action continues with key Pool C and D first round match ups.
12:00 PM Local, 11:00 AM Eastern at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
In one of the tournament's biggest mismatches, the heavily-favored Dominican team will take on Spain in the first game of the day. The Spanish team, who are making their World Baseball Classic debut this year is 0-1 after losing to 0-3 against Puerto Rico yesterday. The Domicans beat Venezuela 9-3 on Thursday in their first game of the Classic. Pittsburgh Pirates lefty Wandy Rodriguez will start for the Dominican team and Yoanner Negrin, a member of the Cubs organization who spent 2012 in the Mexican league, will get the ball for the Spanish team.
Canada at Mexico
12:30 PM Local, 2:30 PM Eastern, Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
After getting blown out by the surprisingly strong Italian team, Canada faces a tough challenge in their second Pool D game. Mexico is coming off of a win against team USA that put their record at 1-1, thanks to an upset at the hands of Italy in their first game. Brewers starter Marco Estrada takes the hill for team Mexico against Canada's Chris Leroux, a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Puerto Rico at Venezuela
6:30 PM Local, 5:30 PM Eastern, at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Following a loss to the Dominican team, the Venezuelan club needs to beat Puerto Rico today if they hope to keep their odds of making the second round from dropping off dramatically. Venezuela lost their first game to the Dominicans and unless they win here, the best they can hope for will be a 1-2 record in the Pool C bracket. That would give AL MVP Miguel Cabrera and his teammates little hope of moving on. Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano will start for Venezuela. He faces veteran journeyman Nelson Figueroa, who signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks this off-season.
USA at Italy
7:00 PM Local, 9:00 PM Eastern, Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The late game pits the US against the tournaments biggest surprise, team Italy. The Italians upset a strong Venezuelan club in their first game and blew away team Canada 14-4 in their second. The US team lost their first game to Mexico behind knuckleballer ace R.A. Dickey and need to show more offensive pop in this game to get by the first round. Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong starts for the US against Italy's Luca Panerati, a member of the Reds farm system.
<p><b>Dominican Republic vs. Spain:</b> Saturday, 12 p.m. local, 11 a.m. ET</p> <p><b>Venue:</b> Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico</p> <p><b>TV:</b> MLB Network, ESPN Desportes (en Español) (U.S.)</p> <p><b>Canada vs. Mexico:</b> Saturday, 12:30 p.m. local, 2:30 p.m. ET</p> <p><b>Venue:</b> Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, USA</p> <p><b>TV:</b> MLB Network, ESPN Desportes (en Español) (U.S.)</p><p><b>Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela:</b> Saturday, 6:30 p.m. local, 5:30 p.m.. ET</p> <p><b>Venue:</b> Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico</p> <p><b>TV:</b> MLB Network, ESPN Desportes (en Español) (U.S.)</p> <p><b>USA vs. Italy:</b> Saturday, 7:00 p.m. local, 9:00 p.m. ET</p> <p><b>Venue:</b> Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, USA</p> <p><b>TV:</b> MLB Network, ESPN Desportes (en Español) (U.S.)</p><p><b>
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