Israel and the USA will meet on Day Three of the 2020 Olympic baseball tournament, with Israel looking to rebound from its 6-5 loss in extra innings at the hands of South Korea in its Olympic debut.
Israel will send Joey Wagman to the mound against the USA, while the Americans will start Joe Ryan, who was one of the pieces in the just completed Nelson Cruz trade between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.
Wagman has pitched this season for Tempo Prague of the Czech Extraliga, where he has amassed a 1.95 ERA and a 5-2 record in 60 innings of work. He has struck out 84 batters while walking just 19.
Ryan was a top-1o prospect in the Rays organization and was a key piece in the trade that brought the 41-year-old slugger Cruz to the Rays as they chase the pennant in the American League East. Ryan has pitched this season at Triple-A Durham, where he has a WHIP of 0.79 , striking out 75 in 57 innings.
Israel lost to South Korea in ten innings after catcher Ryan Lavarnway hit his second homer of the game in the top of the ninth to force the extra frame. All five Israel runs came off home runs.