World Baseball Classic Final 4 Revealed as Team USA Beats Venezuela

The World Baseball Classic, the most prestigious international baseball tournament today, has entered its semi-final stage between four of the best teams.

Mexico continued its hot streak in a big come-from-behind victory against a stacked Puerto Rico squad, while Team USA and its intimidating lineup of MLB all-stars managed to stave off a very hungry Venezuela team eager to eliminate the defending champions.

According to CBS Sports, this is the only time that Team USA has made the semi-finals, often being eliminated early in the tournament. The last time this happened was in 2017 when the Americans finally won the tournament.

Japan won the first two World Baseball Classic tournaments, the Dominican Republic won the third, and the Americans won the fourth. Mexico will face Japan in this year's semi-finals, while Team USA has a date with Cuba. Both semi-final games will happen in Miami, Florida.

Battle of the Houston Astros Star Players in Team USA vs. Venezuela

American Kyle Tucker and Venezuelan Luis Garcia are usually playing on the same side. The two even won a World Series together in the MLB for the Houston Astros. However, the two Astros stars finally collided as each played for flag and country.

The reported "Astro on Astro crime" happened on Saturday in the 5th inning when Garcia pitched against his Astros teammate. Tucker doubled against Garcia before finally hitting a solo home run to give the United States a 5-2 lead.

It became a very close game as Venezuela managed to keep up with the loaded American squad, even taking the lead after Tucker's solo home run.

However, it was Trea Turner who became a hero to the Americans in this knock-out quarterfinal game and proved why he has an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

With Venezuela leading and having no outs and the bases loaded, Turner hit a go-ahead grand slam against Silvino Bracho, retaking the lead for Team USA.

The Venezuelans tried to rally back in the next few innings, but the Americans managed to hold on to a dramatic victory. They will face Cuba on Sunday night.

Mexico Outlasts Puerto Rico to Reach World Baseball Classic Semi-finals

Mexico was red-hot coming into the quarterfinals after previously beating the highly-favored Americans in an upset. They still felt it as they faced off against Puerto Rico in Miami on Friday and won.

Puerto Rico is considered one of the strongest teams coming into the tournament, having made it to the finals in the last two World Baseball Classics. They were also very confident that they would beat the Mexicans as they held the lead throughout most of the match.

The Mexicans soon caught up and tied the game in the seventh inning thanks to a 2-run single by Isaac Paredes. This was followed by Jorge Lopez's game-winning single, which sealed the win against the Puerto Ricans.

However, Mexico will have a tough task ahead of them as they will have to take on Shohei Ohtani and the rest of the very powerful Japan team on Monday.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: USA vs. Venezuela Highlights | 2023 World Baseball Classic - From Fox Sports