Mexico - USA live online: stats, scores and updates | 2024 Premier12 Group A updates

Pitcher's duel

Who will blink first?

Mexico in the clubhouse

They are ready!

STARTING PITCHERS CAREER STATS

MEXICO
Luis MirandaRHP
53 - 42
4.64 ERA
618 K
679.0 IP
1.38 WHIP

USA
Rich Hill LHP
90 - 74
4.01 ERA
1428 K
1409.0 IP
1.26 WHIP

PITCHING

Mexico’s pitching, with a collective 5.25 ERA, is a concern as they turn to Luis Miranda, who struggled against Venezuela in his first start, yielding four runs on five hits in just over two innings. The Americans, meanwhile, counter with a pitching staff that leads Group A, sporting a team ERA of 2.65. Their arms have combined for 37 strikeouts against a mere seven walks over 34 innings. Manager Mike Scioscia will entrust veteran left-hander Rich Hill to take the mound once again. Hill, a 20-year MLB journeyman known for his guile and curveball, delivered three scoreless innings against Puerto Rico, allowing only two hits and two walks.

MEXICO: Luis Miranda RHP

For Mexico, Luis Miranda is a talented but inconsistent right-hander with flashes of brilliance and bouts of struggle. His opening-round start against Venezuela didn’t go as planned, and he’ll be aiming for redemption on Thursday night. Miranda’s strength lies in his fastball-slider combination, a pairing that can dominate when he locates his pitches effectively. For Mexico, the key will be getting early outs and avoiding the long innings that have plagued their bullpen. Manager Benjamin Gil knows that for his team to advance, Miranda must be steady and composed, setting the tone against a potent American lineup.

With Mexico’s hopes resting partly on Miranda’s shoulders, there’s added pressure. The stakes are clear: keep the game close, and Mexico’s bats - capable of producing fireworks late, as Perez demonstrated - can seize the moment. Miranda’s ability to pitch through trouble and limit big innings will dictate how Mexico fares against their northern rivals.

USA: Rich Hill LHP

The U.S. turns to Rich Hill, whose experience is unmatched in this tournament. Hill, a southpaw who has seen it all in his lengthy career, relies on pinpoint control, an array of breaking balls, and a veteran’s poise. Against Puerto Rico, he was precise and effective, needing only three innings to remind everyone why he’s a trusted arm for manager Mike Scioscia.

Hill thrives on keeping hitters off-balance. His curveball, a signature offering, has baffled even MLB’s best over the years. His challenge against Mexico’s lineup will be containing aggressive hitters like Gaitan and Rojas while avoiding mistakes that could lead to Game-changing homers. Hill isn’t the fireballer he once was, but he’s cunning and fiercely comPetitive. With the U.S. lineup providing strong run support, Hill’s job is to quiet Mexico’s bats long enough to hand the Game over to a solid bullpen. If he can mix his pitches and change speeds effectively, the U.S. will be well-positioned to move forward.

WELCOME!!!

Welcome to the Diario AS USA live commentary of the final game of Group A for Mexico and the USA with a place in the Super Round at stake. Both teams are fighting for their lives in the Estadio Panamericano de Guadalajara. First pitch at 9 pm ET.

Mexico and the USA are ready to clash in a high-stakes showdown that will determine who moves forward in the WBSC Premier12 2024. With both teams tied at 2-2 in Group A, the tension is palpable as the first pitch nears at 8pm local time, 9pm Eastern. The stakes couldn’t be higher - only one team will keep its hopes of reaching Tokyo alive.

As baseball fans know, there’s no shortage of drama when these two nations meet. In the most recent WBSC Premier12 tournaments, each side has seen both triumph and heartbreak, and their current runs are no different. Team USA comes into this contest after dominating performances over the Netherlands (12-2) and Panama (9-3), tempered by hard-fought losses to Puerto Rico (0-1) and Venezuela (3-5). Mexico’s journey has been equally tumultuous: after an 8-6 win over the Netherlands that featured Juan Perez’s eighth-inning grand slam heroics, they endured losses to Venezuela (4-8) and Panama (2-3), but managed a gritty 7-5 victory against Puerto Rico. The road to this matchup hasn’t been easy, and neither team will go down without a fight.

Mexico’s bats have shown both power and persistence, with a team slash line of .231/.342/.410 over four Games. Alonso Gaitan has been the offensive sparkplug, leading with ten hits, five runs, and four RBIs. Jose Rojas has also stepped up, driving in six runs. Yet, their pitching remains a point of concern, holding a team ERA of 5.25. In a Game of this magnitude, every pitch matters, and Manager Benjamin Gil knows his squad must be sharp from the mound.

The U.S. squad, under the guidance of manager Mike Scioscia, counters with one of the best pitching staffs in Group A. Their combined ERA of 2.65 is a testament to their discipline and strength, with 37 strikeouts and just seven walks in 34 innings. At the plate, the Americans are hitting .283/.382/.465, scoring 24 runs on 36 hits. Speed has also been their calling card; players like Chandler Simpson, Matt Shaw, and Carson Williams are leading the tournament in stolen bases. Simpson, in particular, has been consistent, picking up hits in every Game so far and coming off a 4-for-5 showing against Panama.

For Mexico and the USA, history casts a long shadow over this matchup. In WBSC Premier12 play, the two teams have split their meetings, with Mexico taking a bronze medal win over the U.S. in 2019 and the Americans sweeping both encounters in 2015. Their last meeting in 2023’s World Baseball Classic saw Mexico prevail 11-5, setting the stage for tonight’s potential fireworks. While the past can provide context, the future hangs in the balance for both squads.

Team USA’s lineup features players who have tasted MLB success and promising talent climbing the ranks. The likes of Matt Shaw and Justin Crawford, each with their own MVP accolades, represent a blend of experience and youthful vigor. Rich Hill, the seasoned veteran, adds another layer of intrigue, bringing his decades of professional experience to the mound for tonight’s game. For Mexico, the weight of national pride and a fervent home crowd will energize every swing, every throw, and every dive in the dirt.

This game won’t just be about skill - it’s about heart, about seizing a chance at glory when the world is watching. Fans can expect passion, intensity, and moments that will linger in memory long after the dust settles on the diamond. As the clock ticks down to the first pitch, it’s clear: tonight, in Guadalajara, nothing less than everything is on the line.