WBC: Venezuela vs Israel 

The World Baseball Classic pool stage is coming to an end, and we have an exciting matchup between Venezuela and Israel. The game is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2023, at loanDepot park, Miami, Florida, with coverage on FS2 starting at 9:00 AM. Both teams have shown their capabilities in the previous rounds, and now they are looking to secure a place in the knockout stages. This article will provide an extended preview of both teams, including their strengths and weaknesses, recent performances, and probable pitchers. In the end, we will make a final prediction on why we believe Venezuela will win the game.

Venezuela

Venezuela has had a mixed run in the World Baseball Classic so far, winning two out of their three games in the group stage. They started their campaign with a dominant 5-1 win over the Dominican Republic before losing to Puerto Rico 4-1. They bounced back with a thrilling 9-6 win over Puerto Rico, where their offense came to life, scoring five runs in the final inning. The team has shown its batting prowess, scoring an average of 5.0 runs per game in the group stage.

Pitching has been one of Venezuela's strengths, with the team boasting of a solid rotation that can compete with any team in the competition. Carlos Carrasco is expected to start the game against Israel, and he will be looking to continue his excellent form in the tournament. Carrasco is a right-handed pitcher with a lot of experience, having played for several teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB). In his last game against the Dominican Republic, Carrasco pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out six batters. He has given up only one run in the tournament so far, and his control and ability to change speeds make him a challenging pitcher to face.

Offensively, Venezuela's lineup is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the tournament. The team is led by the likes of Jose Altuve, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Anthony Santander. Altuve, the former American League MVP and five-time All-Star, is a consistent hitter who can produce runs in any given situation. Acuna Jr., a five-tool player, is known for his speed, power, and defensive abilities. Santander, who plays for the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB, has been in excellent form in the tournament, hitting .500 with one home run and three RBIs in two games.

Apart from these three stars, Venezuela's batting lineup also features several other players who can cause problems for the opposition. Luis Arraez, who plays for the Minnesota Twins in the MLB, is a versatile player who can hit for average and has excellent plate discipline. Salvador Perez, the catcher for the Kansas City Royals in the MLB, is a reliable hitter who can drive in runs when needed. Eduardo Suarez, who plays for the Cincinnati Reds in the MLB, is a power-hitting third baseman who can change the game with one swing of the bat.

In their last game against Nicaragua, Venezuela emerged victorious with a 3-0 win. Starting pitcher Eduardo Ramirez was instrumental in the win, pitching three scoreless innings and allowing only two hits while striking out three batters. The bullpen was equally impressive, combining to allow just nine hits and no runs throughout the remainder of the game. Venezuela's hitters were led by Eugenio Suarez, who hit a crucial two-run single in the fourth inning to give his team the lead. Anthony Santander also had a productive game, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Venezuela's batters were efficient, scoring three runs on just seven hits, taking advantage of their opportunities to secure the win.

Israel

Israel has had a tough run in the World Baseball Classic so far, winning one out of their two games in the group stage. They started their campaign with a 3-1 win over Nicaragua before losing to Puerto Rico 10-0. The team has shown its batting struggles, scoring an average of only 1.5 runs per game in the group stage.

On the pitching front, Israel will likely turn to their star pitcher, Dean Kremer, to start the game against Venezuela. Kremer is a right-handed pitcher who plays in the MLB for the Baltimore Orioles. In his last game against Nicaragua, Kremer pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out seven batters. He has given up only one run in the tournament so far and has the potential to put up a strong performance against Venezuela.

Offensively, Israel has struggled to get going in the tournament, with their batting lineup failing to produce enough runs. They will need players like Zach Penprase and Rob Paller to step up and provide some crucial hits if they are to have a chance against Venezuela.

In their last game against the Dominican Republic, Israel suffered a tough 10-0 loss in a seven-inning game. Israel struggled to produce hits and runs, with their offense only managing one hit in the game. Starter Jonathan Steinmetz pitched only 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, one run, and issuing two walks. Israel's bullpen didn't fare any better, with four relievers combining to allow nine runs, including three home runs.

Prediction

Venezuela has a solid rotation, and even as they haven't listed their starter for the game against Israel it won't matter. Israel's bullpen has been terrible on this tournament and will be pounded by Venezuela.

Venezuela's offense has been impressive in the tournament, with players like Omar Narvaez and Alcides Escobar leading the charge. They have shown the ability to score runs even in tight games, as evidenced by their comeback win against Puerto Rico. If they can get their bats going early against Israel, they will be tough to stop.

On the other hand, Israel has struggled to produce runs in the tournament, scoring an average of only 1.5 runs per game. While their pitching has been solid, they will need their hitters to step up if they are to have a chance against Venezuela's strong rotation. Moreover, Venezuela's solid defense will make it difficult for Israel's hitters to score runs.

In conclusion, while Israel has shown resilience and determination in the tournament so far, we predict that Venezuela will win this game. With a strong rotation, a potent offense, and solid defense, they have all the tools to come out on top in this matchup. We believe that Venezuela will win and cover the spread. 

Pick: Venezuela -2.5 

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