It's a must-win game for one of these teams and it's not Italy. Italy won a mercy-rule shortened 10-0 pounding over Australia Tuesday. Venezuela, with the most highly regarded pitching staff in the tournament, got pounded by the Dominican Republic 11-5 as David Ortiz and Adrian Beltré each hit a pair of home runs.
Freddy Garcia will start for Venezuela in an attempt to restore order. Tony Armas Jr. and Kelvim Escobar are also expected to pitch. Italy will start Red Sox pitcher Lenny DiNardo. Italy used just two pitchers against Australia, but may have to send out more of them today.
Italy should be a big underdog in this one, but last night's Canada-South Africa game has made me not feel so sure about anything right now.
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