Henry Roldán
The quarterfinal matchups for the key 2 of the 2023 World Baseball Classic are set, and one of them is the clash between two baseball powerhouses: Puerto Rico vs Mexico this coming Friday.
The Puerto Rican team secured its spot as the second team in Group D by defeating the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and finishing with a record of 3-1. Meanwhile, the Mexicans also finished with a 3-1 record, but this was enough to make it the first team in Group C over the United States.
Without further ado, at JefeBet, we bring you the best preview of the stellar World Classic quarterfinal match between Puerto Rico vs Mexico.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the Puerto Rico vs Mexico WBC Quarter-Final Game on March 17, 2023
Where will Puerto Rico vs Mexico be played in the 2023 World Baseball Classic?
The game between Puerto Rico vs Mexico for the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic will be played at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
When will Puerto Rico vs Mexico be played in the 2023 World Baseball Classic?
The game between Puerto Rico vs Mexico for the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic 2023 will be played next Friday, March 17 at 7:00 PM ET
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Betting on Puerto Rico
- WBC 2023 Record: 23-10
- Best position: runner-up (2013, 2017)
- Runline: (+1.5, -215)
- Moneyline: (-105)
- Over/Under: 7.5
Puerto Rico has a strong history in the World Baseball Classic, with two runner-up finishes under its belt. This year, it proved its tournament prowess once again by surviving the “Group of Death” and eliminating the Dominican Republic.
Although it lost to the undefeated Venezuela, Puerto Rico won its other three games with ease, showcasing its skill on the diamond. This is further evidence of why this team is the third-ranked foreign power in Major League Baseball.
Pitching was the key to Yadier Molina’s team’s success. Despite conceding nine runs to Venezuela’s powerful offense, it only allowed four clean runs in the other three games, including the first-ever perfect game in World Baseball Classic history against Israel.
Puerto Rican pitchers had a batting average against them of just .176, with a WHIP of 0.94. They struck out 41 batters in 35 innings and ended the group stage with the fourth-best ERA of 2.83. However, it will no longer have its star closer Edwin Diaz, who was injured during the celebration after the victory against the Dominican Republic.
On the offensive side, Puerto Rico also shone, scoring the fourth-most runs in the first round with a total of 30. However, its on-base percentage (.361)
Starting pitcher: Marcus Stroman (0-0, 1.93 EFE)
Betting on Mexico
- WBC 2023 record: 10-12
- Best position: 6th place (2006)
- Runline: (-1.5, +185)
- Moneyline: (-115)
- Over/Under: 7.5
Mexico bounced back from a surprising loss to Colombia in its first game of the tournament and ended up taking the top spot in Group C after defeating the favored United States team in one of its matches.
The Mexicans completed its comeback with victories over Great Britain and Canada, but it was its triumph over the Americans that gave it the lead in the standings based on the tiebreaker of head-to-head matchups.
Like its opponents, the team led by Benji Gil stood out for its excellent pitching in the first round. After 36 innings of work, the North American arms had an ERA of 3.16, and opposing offenses only hit .197 against it.
On the offensive side, Mexico’s numbers are similar to Puerto Rico’s, leaving a lot of responsibility on the pitchers’ shoulders. In four games, they scored 27 runs, had the third-highest number of stolen bases in the group stage with a total of six, and Randy Arozarena finished second in RBIs with a total of nine.
For this game, manager Gil has already announced that the Dodgers’ star left-handed pitcher, Julio Urías, will be the starter. In his only appearance in the tournament, he was the opener against Colombia and threw five innings with three hits, three earned runs, and six strikeouts.
Starting pitcher: Julio Urías (0-0, 5.40 EFE)
JefeBet Prediction
Two baseball powerhouses are set to face off this Friday in a quarterfinal match that promises to be a tough and close game.
Both Puerto Rico and Mexico have excelled in pitching during the group stage, and although both teams have a very respectable lineup, for this clash, they will have their best starters on the mound.
Moreover, let’s not forget that the pitch limit for starters has already been raised to 80, so these two nations could have a good time showcasing their pitching skills on the mound.
Stroman and Urías are experienced Major League pitchers who will surely keep the game quite balanced and tight during their performance. The match is expected to be a nail-biter until the end.
Prediction: Puerto Rico Spread (PR 3 – MEX 4)
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