Japan vs Mexico: Possible starting lineups for 2023 WBC semifinal | Starting pitchers

Mexico vs Japan live updates

Team USA beat Cuba yesterday 14-2 to advance to the World Baseball Classic final. They’ll find out who their rival is tonight when Japan takes on Mexico in the other semifinal. Mexico is the underdog despite their 4-1 record. Japan is the only team that remains undefeated and they will bring out all the stops in order to get to the final game against the US.

Japan vs Mexico: starting pitchers

The starting pitchers for tonight’s game have been announced and we’ll see Mexico’s Patrick Sandoval face Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, who has created a lot of hype during this tournament because of his youth (21) and 100+ mph fastball that has everyone talking. Sasaki made a name for himself in Japan as a highschooler when he broke Shohei Ohtani’s velocity record in 2019 throwing 101 mph.

Patrick Sandoval might not get the same amount of press and Ohtani or Sasaki, but the Los Angeles Angel’s LHP has been quietly making a name for himself in the MLB. His number have been consistently improving to the point where he ended the 2022 season with a 2.91 ERA.

Sportswriter Joel Reuter included Sandoval in his 10 Underrated MLB Players Who Will Explode in 2023 list in February 2023. “Pitching behind Shohei Ohtani and free-agent signing Tyler Anderson, he’ll be one of the best No. 3 starters in baseball,” he wrote.

Japan possible starting lineup

Japan will likely field the same lineup as it did against previous rivals in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Until official confirmation is made, we think they will probably line up as follows:

Mexico possible starting lineup

All eyes will be on Mexico’s star left-fielder Randy Arozarena, who lives for these big games and has put on a shot for fans so far in this tournament. The Cuban-born Tampa Bay Rays player loves the limelight and will definitely be Mexico’s lead off man against Japan.