Hiram Moreno
We have reached the home stretch of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and the match that will open these semifinal rounds will be Cuba vs USA. In this match, the reigning champion and current favorite of the competition will seek to seal its ticket to the final and successfully defend its crown, although its rival will not make things easy for it.
As promised, at JefeBet, we bring you all the information you need to know ahead of this Cuba vs USA match, including the teams’ preview, the best odds and our prediction for this match.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the Cuba vs USA WBC Game on March 19, 2023
Where will the Cuba vs USA WBC game be played?
Cuba vs USA for the semifinals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic will be played at Miami’s LoanDepot Park.
When will the Cuba vs USA WBC game be played?
The 2023 World Baseball Classic semifinal Cuba vs USA game will be played next Sunday, March 19 at 7:00 PM E.T.
[the_ad_placement id=”sports-baseball”]
Betting on Cuba
- WBC 2023 Record: 3-2
- Best Position: Runner-up (2006)
- Runline: +2.5, +125
- Moneyline: +340
- Over/Under: 10
Cuba will be well rested for this semifinal since its quarterfinal match dates back to March 15, when it defeated Australia by a tight 3-4 score, something that has been the team’s trademark in this World Baseball Classic campaign.
We say this because Cuba managed to qualify for this elimination round despite being tied with all the teams in its group with a 2-2 record, so it was expected to be one of the weakest links at this stage of the tournament. The fact that we suffered a lot against Australia was an example of this.
The Cubans started their previous game trailing 1-0 in the second inning, but a run in the third inning and three more in the fifth gave them a lead they would not relinquish throughout the game.
Now the team will have the task of facing one of the heavyweights of the competition, and it will be in it hands to prove that getting this far was not just a product of luck.
Starting Pitcher: Roenis Elias, 0-0, ERA 2.57.
Betting on the United States
- WBC 2023 Record: 4-1
- Best Position: Champion (2017)
- Runline: -2.5, -164
- Moneyline: -455
- Over/Under: 10
The United States did not show a version that convinced fans during the group stage, which cast doubts on whether the Stars and Stripes would be able to keep up the pace once the knockout round was underway. The North American team proved that they cannot be ruled out.
Saturday’s quarterfinal game against Venezuela, which was undefeated at that stage of the tournament, was to be a tough test which the Americans overcame, although not comfortably, as they had to come from behind to seal their ticket to the semifinals.
Four runs allowed in the fifth inning left the U.S. behind on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t until the eighth inning that Trea Turner hit a bases-loaded homerun to turn the game around, with the team going from 5-7 down to 9-7 up, a slate that would eventually give them the victory.
Once again, the team’s pitching was their biggest weakness, but they were able to counteract this with their star-studded lineup that managed to connect a total of 15 hits and will hope not to have to go through so many hardships in this new game.
Starting Pitcher: Adam Wainwright, 1-0, ERA 2.25.
JefeBet Prediction
This semifinal matchup is the most lopsided of all, as Cuba is the most limited of the four remaining teams in the competition. A 2-2 record in a group in which they faced Italy, Panama, Chinese Taipei, and the Netherlands makes it clear that the island nation may not be able to stand up to one of the best teams in the world.
The United States has the offensive power necessary to break the pitching of its rival, and although its pitchers have not done a phenomenal job, they could do things well enough to limit Cuba and thus get the pass to the final with a victory by a wide margin that will serve to keep the morale high ahead of the defining duel in this World Baseball Classic.
Prediction: USA Spread (CUB 3 – USA 8).
Do you want to earn more money with your bets? Then don’t miss out on this special offer! Choose between the above prediction or the one of your choice and get a FREE instant bonus by clicking on the banner below this text.
[the_ad_placement id=”sports-baseball”]
