All 16 teams will resume play on Tuesday at the World Cup of Baseball. Host Chinese Taipei is now tied in first place in pool A with a walk-off win on Monday against Italy. It was a tight contest with an exiting old-fashioned pitchers duel between En-Yu LIN and Anthony FIORE.
Italy is still in a good position to advance to the quarterfinals. They are facing Japan in a match, which could decide the outcome. The other important match in group A on Tuesday is the game between Panama and Chinese Taipei, who could clinch a final round berth with a victory.
The Netherlands is needing a win on Tuesday versus Korea to stay in the race. Both have the same 3-2 records, but the Asian team has a much easier task on Wednesday, when they are facing Germany. The Dutch team is going against Cuba on the last day of the round robin. Canada, which also has three victories so far, squares off with Venezuela and Australia in the last two games.
The other two European squads at the tournament, Germany and Spain, meet with Australia and Mexico.
Schedule for Tuesday:
(all listed times are local)
Group A:
18:00 Italy (3-2) – Japan (3-2)
12:00 USA (4-1) – South Africa (0-5)
18:00 Panama (3-2) – Chinese Taipei (4-1)
18:00 Mexico (2-3) – Spain (1-4)
Group B:
12:00 Australia (4-1) – Germany (1-4)
12:00 Thailand (0-5) – Cuba (5-0)
18:00 Korea (3-2) – Netherlands (3-2)
18:00 Canada (3-2) – Venezuela (1-4)