Heading into Games 19-24 on Day 6 (Saturday, 14 November) of the 2015 WBSC Premier12, some current stats as well as notable past encounters have been identified.
Days 1-5 of the Premier12 have seen highly competitive games: 11 of 18 matches have been decided by five runs or less, while 8 games have been decided by 2 runs or less. Four games have been decided by only one-run.
There have been 34 home runs hit in the first 18 Premier12 contests, including a tournament-leading 7 by Chinese Taipei.
Premier12 National Teams have 29 stolen bases in 36 attempts for a success rate of 81%.
The Netherlands possess a Premier12 batting average of .373, while South Korea’s .323 is the second-highest.
Japan pitchers (2.33 ERA) are the most unwilling to grant runs to their opponents, while Canada and South Korea pitchers have also been stingy with a 3.00 ERA.
GROUP A – DAY 6
World No. 6 Netherlands (2-1) vs No. 9 Puerto Rico (1-2)
At the 2011 Baseball World Cup, the Netherlands defeated Puerto Rico 5-0 in the opening round/group stage. These nations have faced each other three times at the World Baseball Classic, with Puerto Rico winning on all three occasions.
World No. 7 Canada (3-0) vs. No. 11 Italy (0-3)
Canada and Italy have had limited action against each other on the world stage. These countries’ National Teams last met at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka, Japan, where Canada beat Italy 10-0 in the opening round. At the 2013 World Baseball Classic, Italy defeated Canada 14-4 in the opening round.
World No. 3 Cuba (2-1) vs No. 4 Chinese Taipei (1-2)
These islands’ National Teams met at the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, where Cuba beat Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the opening round. In another one-run contest, the Chinese Taipei youth National Team beat Cuba 3-2 in the finale of the 2011 U-12 Baseball World Cup.
Saturday’s Premier12 battle will be before a sold-out Intercontinental Stadium in Taichung.
GROUP B – DAY 6
World No. 6 Dominican Republic (0-3) vs. No. 10 Venezuela (1-2)
These countries last clashed on the world stage in the opening round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic, when eventual winners Dominican Republic recorded a 9-3 victory. In the opening round of the 2011 Baseball World Cup, Venezuela defeated the Dominican Republic 6-3.
World No. 8 South Korea (2-1) vs No. 12 Mexico (1-2)
The National Teams of Mexico and South Korea met this year at the 2015 U-12 Baseball World Cup, with Mexico beating South Korea 5-3 in the consolation round. At the 2014 U-21 Baseball World Cup, South Korea defeated Mexico 10-0 during the group stage. The men’s National Teams of Mexico and South Korea last met at the 2009 World Baseball Classic, where South Korea beat Mexico 8-2 in the second round.
World No. 1 Japan (3-0) vs No. 2 USA (2-1)
At the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Japan beat the United States 9-4 in the semifinals. The last two finales of the U-18 Baseball World Cup featured Japan and the U.S., and were decided by one run, with the U.S. claiming the 2013 and 2015 U-18 world championships. At the 2011 Baseball World Cup, the U.S. beat Japan 7-3 in the group stage.
