Day three of the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier, which will award one ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, takes place on Wednesday, 2 June, at St Lucie's Clover Park and The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, in Florida. Here's a historical preview of the four games scheduled on the third day of group play.
World No. 15 Nicaragua (1-1) vs. No. 10 Dominican Republic (1-1) - Group A
· These nations most recently met in a major competition at the 2019 Pan American Games, where Nicaragua beat Dominican Republic 4-2 in the preliminary round.
· These nations also met at the American qualifying tournament for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the last time baseball was on the Olympic programme. Nicaragua beat Dominican Republic 6-4 in the preliminary round (10 innings). Both nations failed to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing.
· On 25 July 2018, Dominican Republic recorded a 3-2 round-robin win over Nicaragua at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games (qualifier for 2019 Pan American Games).
· Dominican Republic topped Nicaragua 8-5 in the 2015 Pan American Games preliminary round.
· Both Dominican Republic and Nicaragua have one win and one loss in this Baseball Americas Qualifier. The winner of this game will advance to the Super Round.
· Nicaragua have given up 13 runs in this Baseball Americas Qualifier, most of all teams.
· Nicaragua's Benjamin Alegria has hit three doubles in this Baseball Americas Qualifier, most of all players in the tournament.
No. 11 Puerto Rico (0-2) vs No. 2 United States (2-0) - Group A
· This will be a repeat of the 2017 World Baseball Classic final, when United States beat Puerto Rico 8-0 in front of 51,565 spectators at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Earlier that tournament, Puerto Rico had beaten USA 6-5 in the second group stage.
· These nations also met at the American qualifying tournament for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. United States beat Puerto Rico 5-2 in the preliminary round. USA won the tournament to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing.
· United States have won both of their games in this Baseball Americas Qualifier and are through to the Super Round. Puerto Rico lost twice and are out of contention.
· United States' Mark Koloszvary is one of two players in this Baseball Americas Qualifier with multiple home runs, alongside Dominican Republic's Juan Francisco.
No. 13 Canada (2-0) vs No. 8 Venezuela (2-0) - Group B
· Canada and Venezuela most recently met in a major competition at the 2011 Pan American Games, where Canada beat Venezuela 4-1 in the preliminary round en route to their gold medal.
· These nations also met at the American qualifying tournament for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where Canada beat Venezuela 7-5 in the preliminary round (10 innings).
· Venezuela's most recent victory against Canada in a WBSC-level tournament was more than 50 years ago: 9-1 in the 1970 Baseball World Cup preliminary round.
· As a team, Venezuela has hit a tournament-high four home runs, along with Dominican Republic.
· Canada is the only team that has not yet given up a home run in this Baseball Americas Qualifier.
· Venezuela's Carlos Pérez and Canada's Jacob Charles lead this Baseball Americas Qualifier in RBI's, with four.
No. 7 Cuba (0-2) vs No. 14 Colombia (0-2) - Group B
· These nations most recently met in a major competition at the 2019 Pan American Games, where Colombia beat Cuba 6-1 in the preliminary round.
· On 29 July 2018, Cuba beat Colombia 3-1 in their final game at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games (round robin).
· Both Cuba and Colombia are out of contention for the Super Round, after falling to Canada and Venezuela.
· Colombia have produced only two runs in this Baseball Americas Qualifier, at least six fewer than any other competitor. Only United States (15), Canada (13) and Dominican Republic (11) have more than Cuba (10).
