Roenis Elías will be Cuba's starter in World Baseball Classic semifinal

March 19, 2023

Left-hander Roenis Elías from Guantanamo will take the mound for Cuba this Sunday in Miami, during the semifinal matchup that will pit the Caribbean squad against the winner of tomorrow's game between the United States and Venezuela.

In statements to the official website Jit, Elías advanced that his intention will be to "try to go through as many innings as I can to lead the team to victory," and dismissed the possibility that Team Cuba would be satisfied with having advanced to the discussion of a spot in the final. "If we can finish among the best two teams it will be better," said the pitcher.

As for which opponent he would prefer to face, the now Cubs pitcher assured that he feels no preference for Americans or Venezuelans. "Both are good teams and deserve respect - he considered - but you have to go out and win, I will try to carry the game as much as I can, throw six or seven innings and come out ahead, that is the objective."

Elías has made two appearances in what has been the Classic so far. First he acted as a starter against Italy, a game in which he pitched five innings of two hits and no runs, and subsequently relieved against Australia in the quarterfinals with two runs allowed in two innings, both the result of a home run.

After falling in their first two presentations, the Cuban squad has strung together three victories and managed to sneak in for the second time (they did so before in 2006) among the four best teams in the event.

Sunday's matchup is predicted to be "eventful," since Cubans in the United States are calling to take the opportunity to protest against the Castro regime.