Team Canada Gameday vs Cuba: A win gives Canada their first knockout stage appearance, a loss sends them home

It’s do or die time for Team Canada.

While Canada defeated Puerto Rico on Tuesday, it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things if they lose to Cuba on Wednesday. Simply put, Canada must win on Wednesday or they’re going home. If they win, they’ll finish first in Pool A, meaning a showdown with the runner up of Pool B. Whether that be Italy, the United States, or Mexico is anyone’s best guess.

The standout from Tuesday’s game was Owen Caissie. Of the five hits that Canada registered, the Miami Marlins prospect had two of them, both doubles, as he went 2-3 with a walk. No doubt Canada’s top prospect in baseball will play a significant role for the team on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Blue Jays used three pitchers, as Jordan Balazovic, Logan Allen, and Brock Dykxhoorn all went three innings in the 3-2 victory. That means that Team Canada’s bullpen will be rested for the game against Cuba.

Starting the game for Team Canada is Cal Quantrill, son of former Blue Jay Paul Quantrill. This isn’t Quantrill’s WBC debut, as he pitched for Canada in the 2023 WBC. Let’s hope that this time around goes better for the Port Hope native, as he allowed three earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning pitched on March 12th, 2023 against Great Britain.

Quantrill, selected eighth overall in 2016, has plenty of big league experience, but carries a 4.35 ERA and 4.56 FIP in 836.2 innings pitched. Last season, he mainly pitched with the Miami Marlins (24 starts), but made two starts with the Atlanta Braves. Over 117.2 innings pitched, the righty had a 6.04 ERA and 5.14 FIP.

Starting for Cuba is left-handed pitcher Liván Moinelo. The 30-year-old has never pitched in the big leagues, in fact, he’s never pitched in affiliated ball, as he’s spent most of his career in Japan. This is Moinelo’s third WBC, posting a 3 ERA in 2017 over three innings, pitching four and one-third scoreless innings in 2023, and pitching three and two-thirds scoreless innings so far in this tournament. That said, he’s prone to walking batters, as he has a 20 BB% in the three World Baseball Classic’s he participated in.

Cuba don’t have many high profile big leaguers, with their most notable big leaguer being Yoán Moncada. It won’t be easy by any means, but Cuba is beatable, and Canada must do it if they wish to make their first trip to the WBC knockout stages.

Location: Hirham Bithorn Stadium – San Juan, PR

First Pitch: 3:00 PM EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet & FS2 / MLB Audio

Starting Pitchers:

Team Canada – Cal Quantrill (RHP)

Team Cuba – Liván Moinelo (LHP)

Lineups:

Canada:

TBA

Cuba:

TBA