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TOKYO – Team USA is determined to turn their fortunes around as they head into their Super Round finale against Venezuela. The much-anticipated first pitch is set to take place at 12:00 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 10:00 p.m. ET on November 22, at the iconic Tokyo Dome, a venue renowned for hosting thrilling baseball spectacles.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The showdown features Touki Toussaint for Team USA, going up against Jesus Vargas of Venezuela, setting the stage for a gripping contest between two talented hurlers.
SUPER ROUND STANDINGS
Currently, Japan leads the standings with an impressive record of 2-0, while Venezuela and Chinese Taipei are tied at 1-1. Team USA is in search of their first victory, standing at 0-2 and in critical need of a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.
LAST TIME OUT
In their previous outing, Team USA faced a disappointing loss against Chinese Taipei, who surged to an 8-2 victory. The game took a turn in the seventh inning when Taiwanese players scored five more runs, effectively sealing Team USA’s fate. Zac Grotz, who started on the mound, maintained a commendable performance, allowing no runs despite giving up five hits in 2.2 innings. The team showed brief flashes of resilience, with Colby Thomas hitting his second home run in two days, but ultimately fell short as Spencer Patton’s struggles allowed five runs in the seventh, marking their third consecutive Super Round defeat.
HISTORY AGAINST VENEZUELA
Historically, the competition between Team USA and Venezuela has been intense, with both teams locked at seven wins apiece in their 14 all-time encounters since their inaugural meeting at the 2000 Pan American Cup. Venezuela has triumphed in both of their previous Premier12 clashes, including a matchup earlier in the current tournament. The last faceoff before this tournament occurred during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where Trea Turner spearheaded Team USA to a thrilling 9-7 win in the quarterfinals.
STARTING OFF STRONG
Team USA’s starting pitchers have displayed remarkable skill throughout the Premier12, having collectively thrown 22.0 innings and permitted a mere four earned runs, culminating in an impressive combined ERA of 1.64. Their dominance is evidenced by accumulating 27 strikeouts compared to only four walks, while also limiting opponents to just four extra-base hits. Rich Hill stands out in this stellar rotation, contributing nearly half of those innings (10.1) with an eye-popping 0.00 ERA.
SEVEN STRAIGHT FOR SIMPSON
Chandler Simpson has made an impressive impact from his leadoff position, racking up hits in seven consecutive games during the Premier12. The dynamic outfielder has amassed nine hits over his last four outings, further showcasing his speed with five stolen bases within that span.
THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE
Colby Thomas has emerged as a key player for Team USA, contributing solo home runs in back-to-back games. Notably, he delivered a pivotal go-ahead homer during the fifth inning against Japan and followed it up with another crucial blast against Chinese Taipei to bring Team USA within one run. He is among three U.S. hitters—alongside Matt Shaw and Ryan Ward—who have belted out multiple home runs in tournament play thus far.
SPEED KILLS
With speed being a pivotal asset for Team USA, the roster boasts three players among the top six in stolen bases for the Premier12. Chandler Simpson leads the pack with seven stolen bases, while fellow teammates Carson Williams and Matt Shaw have contributed with four and three stolen bases, respectively.
WILLY WALKS
Carson Williams is proving to be a patient and strategic hitter, having drawn seven walks, the highest total among all players competing in the Premier12. His ability to reach base through walks is highlighted by his three multi-walk games and consistent presence at first base during four different contests in the tournament.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Team USA’s roster includes six players who have showcased their talents in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Five of those players competed in the event held in 2024: Drake Baldwin, Justin Crawford, Termarr Johnson, Matt Shaw, and Chandler Simpson, while Crawford previously participated in the 2023 event, and Willie MacIver made his appearance in 2019.
TOP PROSPECTS
The U.S. team features four players listed in the prestigious MLB Pipeline Top 100, with two standing out as the top-ranked prospects for their respective clubs. Carson Williams holds the title as the fourth-best prospect in baseball and leads the Tampa Bay’s Top 30 Prospects, while Matt Shaw tops the Cubs’ roster as the 22nd-ranked prospect. Additionally, Justin Crawford and Termarr Johnson rank 53rd and 75th in the Top 100, respectively.
MVPs!
Justin Crawford and Matt Shaw both have earned Most Valuable Player honors in recent seasons, underlining their exceptional performance. In 2023, Crawford took home the Florida State League MVP award, boasting a stellar batting average of .344 with 60 RBIs and 40 stolen bases while playing for the Clearwater Threshers (A). Shaw followed suit, capturing the Southern League MVP title in 2024 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs, finishing the season with a .279 batting average over 86 games with the AA Tennessee Smokies.
FATHERS AND SONS
A notable connection is evident on the roster, as Rich Hill reunites with Justin Crawford, son of his former Boston Red Sox teammate, Carl Crawford. This familial bond extends back 13 years, showcasing the intertwining stories of baseball’s past and present, as both Hill and Carl played together on the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016.
**Interview with Baseball Analyst, Sarah Johnson**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Sarah! Thanks for joining us today. Team USA is currently struggling in the Premier12 tournament with an 0-2 record. What seems to be the main issue for them right now?
**Sarah Johnson:** Thanks for having me! Team USA has shown potential, but they’ve struggled with consistency. Their starting pitchers have done an excellent job, maintaining a combined ERA of 1.64, but the bullpen has been a bit shaky, particularly in critical moments like the seventh inning against Chinese Taipei. They need to tighten up their late-game performance to compete effectively.
**Interviewer:** Right, and speaking of pitching, how do you assess the upcoming matchup against Venezuela?
**Sarah Johnson:** It’s going to be a tough contest. Team USA will have Touki Toussaint on the mound, while Venezuela will counter with Jesús Vargas. Both pitchers have shown promise, but it’s crucial for Toussaint to keep the Venezuelan offense in check. They need to capitalize on their strong starting pitching and hope the offense can find some momentum.
**Interviewer:** Colby Thomas has been a bright spot with two home runs in the last two games. How critical is his role moving forward?
**Sarah Johnson:** Absolutely critical! Thomas’s ability to hit for power is essential as he provides a spark to the lineup. His go-ahead homer against Japan was a game-changer, and they’ll need him to step up again. However, they need contributions from the entire lineup to ease the pressure on him.
**Interviewer:** And what about Chandler Simpson? His speed on the bases seems to be a major asset for the team.
**Sarah Johnson:** Yes, Simpson’s speed is a game-changer for Team USA. He’s leading the tournament with seven stolen bases, which not only puts pressure on opposing pitchers but also creates scoring opportunities. If he and other fast players like Carson Williams can get on base, it can ignite the offense and change the course of the game.
**Interviewer:** Team USA has a historical rivalry with Venezuela, being tied at seven wins each in their matchups. Does that add any extra pressure for tomorrow’s game?
**Sarah Johnson:** Definitely! A rivalry always brings an extra layer of intensity. Winning against Venezuela could be a huge morale boost for Team USA after their tough start. They need to turn history to their favor and capitalize on the experience from previous encounters.
**Interviewer:** With both teams in need of a win, what can we expect from this matchup?
**Sarah Johnson:** Expect a fierce battle! Both teams are under pressure to secure a win, and that often brings out the best performances. It will be intriguing to see how well Team USA can contain Venezuela’s hitters while trying to break through against Vargas. It’s a must-watch!
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Sarah, for your insights! We look forward to the game!
**Sarah Johnson:** Thank you! Let’s hope for an exciting contest.