MIAMI — The World Baseball Classic semifinal matchup between Italy and Venezuela on Monday night will feature a compelling pitching duel between two right-handers with distinctly different career trajectories. Veteran Michael Lorenzen will take the mound for Italy while emerging talent Keider Montero gets the start for Venezuela in what promises to be a historic contest for both teams.
Lorenzen, 34, brings considerable experience to the game following his impressive performance during the group stage, where he delivered 4 2/3 scoreless innings in Italy’s stunning 8-6 victory over tournament favorites the United States. His selection has received strong endorsement from Italy’s manager Francisco Cervelli, a former major league catcher familiar with Lorenzen’s capabilities. “I faced him many times,” Cervelli remarked. “This is the perfect guy.”
The All-Star pitcher, who recently secured an $8 million, one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies after posting a 7-11 record with a 4.64 ERA for Kansas City last season, represents Italy’s best chance to advance to their first-ever championship final in the tournament’s history dating back to 2006.
Opposing him will be Venezuela’s Montero, a 25-year-old who demonstrated his potential with three scoreless relief innings during Venezuela’s 4-0 first-round victory against Nicaragua. Despite being optioned to Triple-A Toledo six times last season, Montero compiled a 5-3 record with a 4.37 ERA during his time with Detroit and notably recorded a save in the AL Division Series opener against Cleveland.
Both teams have made strategic roster adjustments ahead of the critical matchup. Italy replaced left-hander Dylan DeLucia with Joe Jacques after DeLucia threw 58 pitches in Saturday’s quarterfinal victory over Puerto Rico, making him ineligible under tournament pitch-count regulations. Venezuela’s lineup remains focused on overcoming their semifinal hurdle, having lost their only previous appearance in 2009 against South Korea.
The winner will advance to face either the United States or the Dominican Republic in Tuesday night’s championship final, with Italy potentially starting Aaron Nola should they secure victory.