Aaron Nola to start World Baseball Classic semifinal for Italy
Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola will start the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy on Monday night, according to Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. Nola will take the mound as the Italian national team faces Venezuela on Monday night at Miami’s loanDepot Park for the right to face the United States in Tuesday’s championship game.
Nola shined for five shutout innings last Wednesday against Mexico to allow the underdog Italy squad to go 4-0 in Pool B play and earn a spot in the quarterfinals. And after defeating Puerto Rico, Italy will hand the ball back to Nola to keep its WBC hopes alive.
Team Italy could have started former Phillies swingman Michael Lorenzen, who pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a shocking upset over Team USA last Tuesday, and set up Nola to pitch the title game on five days’ rest in the event of a win over Venezuela. Instead, the Italians will go with Nola, the most accomplished pitcher on the roster, to increase their odds of even making the title game.
Lorenzen could be in line for a rematch with the Americans if Italy wins to continue the Cinderella run, unless he makes an appearance in the semifinal. The United States would be the favorite in either pitching scenario, but that would especially be the case if Italy has to go all hands on deck against Venezuela.
Venezuela will start Tigers pitcher Keider Montero against Italy after defeating Japan in the quarterfinal round and has a lineup with much more star power with standouts like Ronald Acuña Jr., Luis Arraez and Jackson Chourio. Mets right-hander Nolan McLean will start for Team USA against the winner of Italy and Venezuela. First pitch for the semifinal is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern.