The Venezuela vs. USA quarterfinal matchup is a bit inverted from the game many expected heading into the World Baseball Classic.
In one corner is Team USA, battered and bruised after finishing second in a grueling Pool C that it was heavily favored to win. It took until the last game against Colombia before the Americans to advance out of pool play. Mexico finished first following a dominant win over the United States.
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In the other corner is Venezuela, which played in a pool that was thought to be the Dominican Republic vs. the field. Venezuela was dominant in going 4-0. Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander having the week of his life to help the team advance along with Puerto Rico.
Mookie Betts and Mike Trout finally lived up to their lofty expectations against Colombia, with Trout driving in all three USA runs in the 3-2 win. They’ll be looking to stay hot against a team that has been among the best in the tournament.
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The United States is the favorite in the game with a 1.5-run spread, per BetMGM. White Sox right-hander Lance Lynn will take the bump for the Americans. Rangers left-hander Martín Peréz gets the start for Venezuela. The winner of this game will go on to play Cuba in the semifinals, which will also be in Miami.
The Sporting News is providing live score updates and highlights of USA vs. Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. Follow along below.
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USA vs. Venezuela score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | F | |
| USA | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Venezuela | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
USA vs. Venezuela live updates, highlights from World Baseball Classic
(All times Eastern)
7:23 p.m. — Tim Anderson now digs against his White Sox teammate José Ruiz. Anderson is still forcing things at the plate, as he goes down 1-2 swinging at a breaking ball.
7:20 p.m. — That call gets overturned, and Tucker is out at first. That leaves Arenado at third with one out. Pérez is out after facing five batters, giving up five hits, and logging one out and three runs.
7:16 p.m. — The United States just needed to get out of pools, but this is why this team is so dangerous. Nolan Arenado goes the other way for a hit before Kyle Tucker drives Goldschmidt in with a single up the middle. Arenado forced the issue and got to third, and Tucker seemingly got into second but Altuve is adamant he tagged him out. Venezuela looks like they’re going to challenge the call. Five base hits to start the game for the United States. USA 3, Venezuela 0.
5 STRAIGHT HITS FOR TEAM USA 🇺🇸
Kyle Tucker drives in another run!
📺: WBC on FOX pic.twitter.com/o4ZQAQPUkH
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 18, 2023
7:14 p.m. — Pérez is very good at getting ahead in the count, but he isn’t a big strikeout pitcher. Last year he had 7.7 Ks per nine, the same number as 2021. To that point, Goldschmidt goes down and takes a 2-2 changeup the other way to drive in Trout. USA 2, Venezuela 0.
Goldy drives in Trout 🇺🇸
Team USA leads 2-0!
📺: WBC on FOX pic.twitter.com/hNCgfwey2G
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 18, 2023
7:12 p.m. — The short version of all of that: It’s USA 1, Venezuela nothing with a runner on third and nobody out for Goldschmidt.
7:10 p.m. — Betts starts things out right for the United States as he ekes one past Altuve for a leadoff single. Mike Trout comes up and is first pitch swinging! It blooped into center and Betts got an incredible read on it, forcing a throw to third from Acuña that went into the dugout. Betts scores as the ball goes out of play, and Trout capitalizes on the deep outfield with a single and an advance to third on a fielder’s choice and an error.
Hot start for Team USA 🔥
They take an early 1-0 lead!
📺: WBC on FOX pic.twitter.com/455f3rSh4y
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 18, 2023
1st inning: USA 0, Venezuela 0
7:10 p.m. — It’s going to be Betts-Trout-Goldschmidt at the top of the order for the United States, keeping inline with the mode for Mark DeRosa’s lineup.
7:01 p.m. — As a reminder, the winner of this game will play Cuba Sunday night. Japan vs. Mexico is the other semifinal game Monday before the WBC championship Tuesday.
6:55 p.m. — For those joining after pools, the United States enter this game 3-1 with wins over Great Britain, Canada, and Colombia and a loss to Pool C No. 1 Mexico. Venezuela, meanwhile, is 4-0, having taken down the vaunted Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
6:40 p.m. — Welcome to USA vs. Venezuela. The United States will look to send Venezuela home with its first loss of the classic. Lance Lynn will be on the mount for Team USA against Venezuela’s Martín Pérez. Here’s a look at both lineups.
Two stacked lineups facing off for one #WorldBaseballClassic semifinal spot.
📺: @MLBONFOX at 7 pm ET pic.twitter.com/9MvlfdfAPI
— MLB (@MLB) March 18, 2023
USA vs. Venezuela start time
The United States and Venezuela will begin at 7 p.m. ET. They’ll be playing at loanDepot Park in Miami, home of MLB’s Marlins.
How to watch USA vs. Venezuela in World Baseball Classic
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: FoxSports.com, fuboTV
The Fox family of networks is televising the World Baseball Classic, and USA vs. Venezuela will be on the main Fox network.
The game can be streamed via FoxSports.com or fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
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