In the end, Venezuela’s loss to the Dominican Republic during pool play was merely a blip on the journey.
On Saturday, Venezuela bested the reigning champions Samurai Japan 8-5, securing the country’s first semifinal appearance since 2009. Now, there’s a chance for a rematch with the D.R. in the finals. On the opposite side of the bracket, Italy made waves in pool play when it shocked Team USA and dismantled Mexico, before surviving a late Puerto Rican push to earn its first semifinal appearance.
Neither team has won the WBC championship, with Italy having never made it to the semifinals until this year’s tournament. The last time these two federations squared off was in 2017. Back then, Miguel Cabrera was Venezuela’s third baseman and most-feared hitter. Now, he’s the hitting coach. On the Italian side, Francisco Cervelli was the club’s catcher. He’s now its manager.
Team Italy
Player you already know
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B: The Kansas City Royals first baseman and foremost recruiter for Team Italy is the only player from 2023’s starting lineup still on the roster. After a slow start during pool play, Pasquantino broke out in Italy’s game against Mexico, becoming the first player to slug three home runs in a WBC contest. He carried that over to the quarterfinals with an RBI single in the first inning.
In a lineup filled with prospects and role players, Pasquantino is Italy’s most accomplished hitter and is peaking at the right time.
Player you need to know
Dante Nori, LF: The Philadelphia Phillies’ No. 6-ranked prospect, per The Athletic’s Keith Law, leads Italy’s lineup regulars with a .438 average and is second to Pasquantino in home runs. He’s done nothing but hit for Team Italy and is a major reason why it is one game away from a championship appearance.
He’s hit at leadoff and in the nine spot, so Cervelli will need to decide on Monday which direction to go.
One thing to watch for
Italy’s leaky bullpen: Italy has ridden an explosive lineup to advance to the semifinal, which is either tied or second to the Dominican Republic in most major statistical categories. The bullpen, however, has tended to make things interesting late. Increased pitch counts for starters at this stage of the tournament should give Cervelli just enough room not to have to go to his bullpen early, but the circle of trust is small. Who Cervelli deploys before turning to Greg Weissert, who leads all pitchers with three saves, will be one of the biggest in-game storylines.
Team Venezuela
Player you already know
Um, everyone: The combined star power of Team USA and the Dominican Republic, plus the heightened interest in Japanese baseball, has made Venezuela somewhat of an afterthought. However, make no mistake about the team, they have stars and MLB regulars, including Ronald Acuña Jr., Salvador Perez, Eugenio Suárez, Gleyber Torres and Luis Arraez.
That Jackson Chourio is Venezuela’s nine-hole hitter is all you need to know when it comes to this lineup.
Player you need to know
Maikel Garcia, 3B: The 26-year-old broke out for the Royals in a major way last season, posting 5.8 bWAR over 160 games while earning All-Star honors, a Gold Glove and down-ballot MVP votes. There’s a strong argument that he should’ve taken home the AL’s Silver Slugger award at third base over José Ramírez.
Garcia has carried his breakout season into the WBC, helping push Venezuela past the reigning champions with a two-run home run in the quarterfinals. His eight hits this tournament are tied for the WBC lead, while his three stolen bases are one behind the WBC leader.
One thing to watch for
Starting pitching: If there’s one area the Venezuelan team is lacking, it’s in its starters. Ranger Suárez is the most accomplished of its staff, and he pitched in the quarterfinals matchup, knocking him out for the rest of the tournament.
Either Enmanuel De Jesus, who last pitched in 2023, or Yoendrys Gómez, who pitched to a 5.17 ERA for three teams in 2025, will start. That’s not exactly inspiring against a red-hot Team Italy lineup. How much freedom they get and how quickly manager Omar López goes to the bullpen will be worth watching.
Prediction
Venezuela 7, Italy 3: Team Venezuela tees off against a leaky Italian bullpen to make its first WBC championship. Italy scores a pair of runs early to force López’s hand, but he pulls all the right levers the rest of the way.