Aaron Nola to Start World Baseball Classic Semifinal for Italy MIAMI — Aaron Nola will take the mound in Monday night’s World Baseball Classic semifinal for Italy, facing Venezuela, after Italy manager Francisco Cervelli decided to switch starting pitchers. The announcement came on Monday, with Cervelli revealing the change had been made the previous day. Cervelli explained his reasoning, stating, “My reason was my gut. Everyone is available, but I think Nola is the right person. That’s my opinion, and I’m taking responsibility for my decisions.” Nola, a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher, will look to build on his strong performance in the group stage. He earned the win in Italy’s final group game against Mexico on March 11, pitching five scoreless innings with four hits allowed, five strikeouts, and one walk. He threw 69 pitches in that outing. Venezuela will counter with right-hander Keider Montero, a 25-year-old pitcher, in the semifinal at LoanDepot Park. The winner of Monday’s matchup will advance to face the United States in the final on Tuesday night. The decision to start Nola over Michael Lorenzen, Italy’s original choice, highlights the manager’s confidence in the veteran’s ability to lead the team in a high-stakes game. With the World Baseball Classic entering its critical phase, Cervelli’s choice underscores the importance of having a reliable starter capable of handling the pressure of a semifinal showdown. Nola’s presence in the lineup also adds depth to Italy’s pitching rotation, providing a balance between experience and the potential energy of younger players. As the tournament progresses, such strategic decisions will play a key role in determining which teams advance to the championship round.#venezuela #loandepot_park #world_baseball_classic #francisco_cervelli #aaron_nola
Italy tops Puerto Rico, rides magical WBC run into semifinals HOUSTON — Italy’s remarkable journey in the World Baseball Classic reached a new milestone as the team secured an 8-6 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday, advancing to the semifinals in Miami. The win, which came in front of a crowd of 34,291 at Daikin Park, solidified Italy’s perfect record in Pool B, including a notable triumph over Team USA. The Azzurri, now set to face Venezuela in the next round, are poised to make history as the farthest they’ve ever advanced in the tournament’s six editions. The victory underscored Italy’s dominance in the pool, with the team’s lineup of young, talented players—many of Italian American descent—showcasing their skill against a Puerto Rican squad missing several stars due to injuries and insurance issues. Italy’s past three wins, against the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, have all come against baseball powerhouses, highlighting the team’s growing reputation. Despite Italy’s limited history in the sport, the success has brought the game into the spotlight, with Italian media and fans celebrating the breakthrough. Manager Francisco Cervelli, a longtime major league catcher making his debut as Italy’s skipper, expressed pride in the team’s achievements. “Imagine doing this for the first time and arriving at the semifinal,” he said. “It’s amazing. This is one of the best chapters of my life.” The sentiment was shared by captain Vinnie Pasquantino, a Kansas City Royals first baseman and key recruiter for the team. “This tournament is about more than just winning,” Pasquantino noted. “It’s about bringing people together and showing that Italy can compete on the world stage.” The game itself was a display of Italy’s relentless offense.#world_baseball_classic #italy #puerto_rico #francisco_cervelli #vinnie_pasquantino
