GROUP A
Cuba – Puerto Rico
At the 2015 Pan American Games, Cuba claimed bronze by beating Puerto Rico 7-6. Earlier that tournament, Cuba recorded a 8-1 preliminary round victory over Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico’s last competitive win against Cuba came at the 2009 Baseball World Cup, a 5-2 second round victory.
In 1992, Cuba became the first ever Olympic champions in baseball. They won all nine games, including a 9-4 first round victory over Puerto Rico.
Italy – Netherlands
This will be a replay of the 2014 European Championships final, when Netherlands beat Italy 6-3 to claim their first European title since 2007.
In 2010 (8-4) and 2012 (8-3), Italy won the European title, beating Netherlands in the final on both occasions.
These countries most recently clashed at the 2014 U-21 Baseball World Cup, when Italy won 4-3 in the consolation round.
Chinese Taipei – Canada
Chinese Taipei and Canada last met at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka, when Canada recorded a 6-2 group stage win.
At the 2010 U-18 Baseball World Cup, Chinese Taipei beat hosts Canada 3-1 in the semifinals before claiming the world title against Australia in the final (8-4 win).
These nations most recently clashed at men’s elite level at the 2011 Baseball World Cup, when Canada won 4-0 in the group stage.
The Men’s National Team of Chinese Taipei last beat Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games, 6-5 (12 innings).
GROUP B
South Korea – Venezuela
At the 2009 World Baseball Classic, South Korea won 10-2 against Venezuela in the semifinals, before losing 5-3 against Japan in the final.
Venezuela’s last competitive win over South Korea at senior level came at the 2011 Baseball World Cup, when they recorded a 5-4 first round victory.
South Korea beat Venezuela twice at the 2013 U-18 Baseball World Cup, a 11-1 final round win and a 6-1 victory in the fifth-place decider.
These nations most recently met at the 2015 U-12 Baseball World Cup, when Venezuela beat South Korea 4-3 in the group stage.
Mexico – United States
Mexico has won their last two competitive games against United States at senior level, a 3-2 first round win at the 2011 Pan American Games and a 5-2 first round victory at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
The U.S. Men’s National Team last beat Mexico (7-3) at the 2009 Baseball World Cup.
These nations most recently met at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, when United States beat Mexico 5-1 in the group stage.
Dominican Republic – Japan
This is a match-up between Japan, 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic winners, and 2013 champions Dominican Republic.
It has been nearly 20 years since the National Teams of these two countries played against each other with their top teams.
These nations most recently met in a competitive game on senior level at the 1998 Baseball World Cup, when Japan beat Dominican Republic 4-3 in the first round.
