Venezuela vs Italy Prediction & Picks - World Baseball Classic
International - World Baseball Classic
New customers only | Commercial content | 21+ age limit | T&Cs apply
by Lou Aguila | in World Baseball Classic Picks
Team Italy will try to arrange a rematch with Team USA by taking down Venezuela in the semifinal of the World Baseball Classic on Monday.
Current Form:
Team Venezuela advanced to the semifinal round after shocking one of the tournament’s favorites, Team Japan, 8-5 in a come-from-behind fashion. Meikel Garcia ignited the comeback with a two-run blast in the fifth inning, and then Wilyer Abreu pushed his team ahead with a massive three-run homer in the sixth inning. Ezequiel Tovar rubbed salt into Japan’s wounds by scoring a run on a pickup error. With the victory, Venezuela clinched a spot in the Olympics and a place in the World Baseball Classic semifinals for the first time since 2009.
The Italians are in the final four of the World Baseball Classic for the first time after outgunning Puerto Rico, 8-6, in the quarterfinals. Team captain Vinnie Pasquantino opened things up for the Italians with an RBI single, sparking a four-run rally in the first inning. Italy extended its lead to 8-2 after Andrew Fischer delivered a two-run double and catcher J.J. D'Orazio sent another man to the home plate on a ground-rule double. Puerto Rico tried to stage a comeback by scoring four runs in the 8th. However, Greg Weissert shut out the Puerto Ricans in the 9th inning to earn his third save of the tournament.
Limited Offer. Currently at Caesars Sportsbook
Venezuela - Italy: Form Analysis
Team Venezuela is hitting .276/.354/482 with 34 runs, 32 RBIs, and 8 homers through five games at the WBC. On the pitching side, the Venezuelan carries a 3.20 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 48 strikeouts. Venezuela hit 8-for-37 with three homers and seven RBIs against a vaunted Japanese pitching staff led by the reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Venezuela fought off a daunting Japanese bullpen.
Team Italy has posted a .287 batting average with .401 OBP and .581 SLG percentage through five games at the World Baseball Classic. The Italians also have the second-highest home run tally in this tournament at 12, trailing only the heavy-hitting Dominican Republic (15). As for their pitching, Italy owns a 3.40 ERA with one shutout win.
Limited Offer. Currently at Caesars Sportsbook
Venezuela & Italy Squad Analysis
The Venezuelans will be sending Keider Montero as their starter on Monday. It’s going to be a test of character for Montero, who threw three scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over Nicaragua in the group stages. Of course, Arepa Power will also be counting on their hitters, especially Ronald Acuna Jr., Wilyer Abreu and Ezequiel Tovar, who came through with big hits against Japan.
Italy has designated Michael Lorenzen as its starter in the do-or-die semifinal match.
Lorenzen gets the start for the first time since helping Italy stun the USA 8-6 in the group stages. In that game, the Colorado Rockies hurler logged 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and earning two strikeouts. The Italians, the second-best hitting team in this tourney, will once again count on Vinnie Pasquantino, Dominic Canzone, and Jac Caglianone to deliver the timely hits.
Venezuela - Italy Key Points
- Team Venezuela is hitting .276/.354/482 with 34 runs, 32 RBIs, and 8 homers through five games at the WBC
- Team Venezuela carries a 3.20 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 48 strikeouts
- Team Italy has posted a .287 batting average with .401 OBP and .581 SLG percentage through five games at the World Baseball Classic.
- Team Italy owns a 3.40 ERA with one shutout win.
Limited Offer. Currently at Caesars Sportsbook
Our Venezuela vs Italy Prediction
Fearless Forecast: Italy outguns Venezuela 9-7 in another electric semifinal contest.
Venezuela deserves a ton of credit for dethroning Japan, but I am going hard with Italy to win this match. The Italians have proven more than just a fluke after beating a solid Puerto Rican team with their big bats. Michael Lorenzen is coming off a terrific start against Nicaragua, and I expect him to dazzle anew on the mound, keeping the Venezuelan in check for almost five innings. In the end, it is their red-hot offense that will take the Italians past Venezuela and into their first WBC final against a familiar foe, Team USA.
Our betting prediction for Team Venezuela vs. Team Italy: Italy will win.
Venezuela vs Italy - Other Interesting Picks
Total Over 10 Runs
The Italians’ big bats will make their presence felt right away, applying immense pressure to Keider Montero. Italy is averaging almost 10 runs per game through five games in this tournament, while the Venezuelans are producing 6.8 runs per contest. Italy will be the one dictating the pace of the match, pushing the total to go OVER 10 runs.
Our betting prediction for Team Venezuela vs. Team Italy: Total Over 10 Runs
Vinnie Pasquantino +2 hits
Vinnie Pasquantino will add another amazing moment to his already legendary World Baseball Classic run by pulling off multiple hits against the Venezuelans. Pasquantino is the heart and soul of this Italian team, and I believe the Royals' first baseman understands his importance to this team not only as their leader but also as one of their most reliable hitters. Venezuela doesn’t have the pitching depth of Japan and Puerto Rico, which is something the opportunistic Pasquantino will take advantage of.
Our betting prediction for Team Venezuela vs. Team Italy: Vinnie Pasquantino +2 hits
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
