2009 World Baseball Classic heats up on Saturday with 6 Games

After seeing one match each per day since tournament start on Thursday, the 2009 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to heat up on Saturday. In the morning games in Pool A continue, which already will see the first elimination. In the afternoon and evening Pool C and Pool D opens its door for the first matchups. On Sunday Pool B will be the last group to kick of the WBC.

2009 World Baseball Classic Schedule for Saturday, March 7:

4.30am CETPool A: Taiwan versus China
Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan (ESPN America, ESPN2, MLB.tv live)
For both teams the game on Saturday could be their last. In a win-or-go-home match China will face Taiwan with the loser being eliminated. China hopes to repeat their upset from Beijing, when they defeated Chinese Taipei 8-7 in extra innings. They will send right-handed pitcher Jiangang Lu to the mound, who will be opposed by Yueh-Ping Lin. However despite the loss in the Olympics, Taiwan is heavily favored tomorrow.

11am CET Pool A: Japan versus Korea
Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan (ESPN America, ESPN2, MLB.tv live)
Each team won their World Baseball Classic opener with shutout. The winner of the Japan versus Korea game on Saturday will book a trip to the San Diego, California for round two of the tournament. The loser would need a win against the winner of China-Taiwan match to advance. 2006 WBC champion Japan will start Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox. Olympic champion Korea counters with southpaw Kwang-Hyun Kim.

5pm CET Pool D: Netherlands versus Dominican Republic
Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico (ESPN America, ESPN2, MLB.tv live)
Manager Rod Delmonico and the Dutch National Team hope that they are ready to take on the Dominican tournament favorite. They will rely on Sidney Ponson to stop the powerful offense with exiting shortstops Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez. The Dominicans will miss Alex Rodriguez in the middle of the lineup due to a hip injury. He was replaced by Fernando Tatis of the New York Mets on the roster. Manager Felipe Alou appointed Edinson Volquez to take the mound at the beginning. He is not the easiest opponent for the Netherlands offense.

8pm CET Pool C: Canada versus USA
Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada (ESPN America, ESPN, MLB.tv live)
Manager Davey Johnson will send a Team USA alumnus on the mound with Roy Oswalt, who pitched in the 2000 Olympics. Additionally Brian McCann will be behind the plate, Kevin Youkilis at first, Dustin Pedroia at second and David Wright at third. Chipper Jones will serve as the designated hitter. Captain Derek Jeter and Jimmy Rollins likely will alternate starts at short. Ryan Braun and Adam Dunn are set in the outfield. The last question mark is in center, where Curtis Granderson or Shane Victorino will get the start. Canada hopes that Scott Richmond can stop this selection of all stars. He will have a real home game, as he usually pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays.

11pm CET Pool D: Puerto Rico versus Panama
Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico (ESPN, MLB.tv live)
Right-hander Javier Vazquez of the Atlanta Braves takes the mound for the Puerto Rican team on Saturday, as they kick off the World Baseball Classic against Panama. With the crowd behind their backs Pudge Rodriguez and his teammates hope to repeat the 2-1 opening win from 2006. Bruce Chen, who has not pitched in a Major League game since 2007, will try to lead Panama to their first ever WBC victory, as they lost all three games in the inaugural event.

Sunday, 2am CET Pool C: Italy versus Venezuela
Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada (ESPN America, MLB Network, MLB.tv live)
Italy and Venezuela will conclude the third game day of the 2009 World Baseball Classic with their opening match in Toronto. Italy showed some promising signs during the exhibition phase and hopes for the upset against Venezuela. However they will have a tough task, as Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners is expected to start for the Latin Americans. Italy’s manager Marco Mazzieri hopes for four innings from 32-year-old Milwaukee Brewer Mark DiFelice. Italy replaced Phil Barzilla (Padres) on the pitching staff with Luca Panerati, as Barzilla disappointed in warm-up games against the Nationals and Mets.

Complete Schedule 2009 World Baseball Classic

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