TEAM: Cuba, Group B #1
WON: Australia, Canada, Germany , Korea, Thailand, Venezuela
LOST: Netherlands

LOWDOWN: All Cuba has done is win and there are plenty of reasons this squad should contend for their 10th straight World Cup trophy. Outfielder Freddie Cepeda has silenced the critics back on the island with a .500 (13-for-26) batting average and slugging first baseman Alex Mayeta is 10-for-31 (.323) for a team stroking the ball at a .312 clip. Hotshot third bagger Yuliesky Gourriel is hitting only .250 (7-for-28) but has slammed three home runs. Pitching remains a constant for the Cubans who have registered a nifty 1.65 ERA with Yadel Marti (1-0, 0.00), Vladimir Banos (2-0, 2.13), and Aroldis Chapman (1-0, 1.29) providing productive innings on the mound.

OUTLOOK: Regardless if it is Panama or Mexico, this game will probably be a six or seven-inning affair. The Cubans must take care of business on Friday before letting their thoughts stray towards their impending rematch with Australia.

TEAM: Mexico, Group A #4
WON: Italy, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan
LOST: Japan, Panama, Team USA

LOWDOWN: The Mexicans hit their way to four straight wins batting .361 as a unit. Jose Rodriguez has been walking tall with a .480 (12-for-25) mark followed closely by Efren Espinoza .478 (11-for-23, 2 HR) and Al Contreras .458 (11-for-24). Right-handers Jose Cobos (1-0, 1.69) and Emil Lazcano (1-1, 4.22) are the top pitchers for a bunch with a decent 4.50 ERA.

OUTLOOK: The Mexicans are the best hitting squad in the tournament which makes them an extremely dangerous opponent. The biggest question will be if Mexico’s hurlers can slow down the Cuban offense.

PREDICTION: Say what you must about Cuba but this team knows how to win. The days of dominating international tournaments might be over, but the tradition of collecting medals and trophies lives on. Cuba wins shoot-out with Mexicans to advance to rematch against Australia.

Tags: World Cup