World Baseball Classic Semifinal Preview
In a highly anticipated World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup, Italy will see Michael Lorenzen take the mound against Venezuela’s Keider Montero on Monday night. Lorenzen, a 34-year-old right-handed pitcher, has shown impressive form, having delivered 4 2/3 scoreless innings during Italy’s surprising 8-6 triumph over the United States in the group stage.
Italy’s manager Francisco Cervelli, who previously played as a catcher in Major League Baseball, expressed confidence in Lorenzen’s capabilities, describing him as the ideal choice for such a crucial match.
Historic Moment for Italy
This semifinal marks a historic moment for Italy, as it is the team’s first time advancing this far in the tournament, which commenced in 2006. Conversely, Venezuela, although a strong contender, was defeated in their only prior semifinal appearance in 2009, succumbing to South Korea with a score of 10-2.
Player Performances
Previously an All-Star in 2023, Lorenzen had a mixed performance last season, finishing with a 7-11 record and a 4.64 ERA over 26 starts and one relief outing for Kansas City. After entering free agency, he secured a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies worth $8 million. Should Italy emerge victorious, they might have Aaron Nola ready to pitch in the championship game on Tuesday against either the Dominican Republic or the U.S.
On the other side of the mound, Venezuela’s Montero, aged 25, has made waves with his prior performance, having contributed three scoreless innings in a relief role during a solid 4-0 victory over Nicaragua in the first round. He made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers on May 29, 2024, finishing last season with a 5-3 record and a 4.37 ERA across 12 starts and eight relief appearances. Notably, he had a successful postseason stint, including a crucial save in the AL Division Series opener against Cleveland, which went 11 innings.
Roster Changes
Ahead of the semifinal clash, Italy also executed some roster shuffles. Left-handed pitcher Joe Jacques stepped in for Dylan DeLucia, who is unable to play due to having thrown 58 pitches in Italy’s quarterfinal win over Puerto Rico—exceeding the allowable pitch count. Additionally, infielder Brayan Rocchio replaced Miles Mastrobuoni, who sustained an injury during their recent match against the U.S.
