Premier12 Replay Series | Watch Mexico and USA play for Tokyo 2020 Olympic ticket
The North American neighbours collided at the Tokyo Dome in a make-or-break game for both national teams.
On 17 November 2019 the US and Mexican National Teams faced each other with two honours on the line -- a Premier12 2019 bronze medal and bigger prize money purse, and an historic ticket (the fourth qualifying spot) to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Mexico were hoping to qualify for an Olympic baseball event for the first time, while USA -- the Sydney 2000 gold medallists -- were looking to confirm their fifth Olympic appearance in six editions.
Mexico, who finished the Super Round with a 3-2 win-loss record, entered the game after a 7-3 loss to world No. 3 Korea in their final Super Round encounter. The US defeated Chinese Taipei to finish the Super Round with a 2-3 record, and had to rely on other results to secure a place in the Bronze Medal Game.
Mexico's Arturo Reyes made his third start of the tournament in the Bronze Medal Game. Reyes had thrown eight scoreless innings during the 2019 Premier12, which included a strong start against Chinese Taipei in the Super Round.
Like Reyes, USA's Cody Ponce was also making his third start of the 2019 Premier12. Ponce dominated the Netherlands in the Opening Round, conceding two hits in five scoreless innings. However his second start of the tournament didn’t go according to plan. The 25-year-old right hander gave up three earned runs in 3.1 innings against Korea in the Super Round.
The game between the two North American neighbours will be available for free on Tuesday, 17 November, at 9 pm Eastern US Standard Time (18 November at 11 am Japan Standard Time, 3 am Central European Time) simultaneously at www.youtube.com/wbsc and www.facebook.com/wbsc.
The WBSC's GameTime.Sport OTT platform will also publish additional content such as behind-the-scenes material and other fan-focused content.
This game closes the Premier12 Replay Series to celebrate one year from the event, following the original schedule of the 2019 WBSC Premier12, featuring one restreamed game per day through the Opening Round and Super Round.
