The Pittsburgh Pirates return to Grapefruit League play today after a day off. They visit Baltimore in Sarasota this afternoon. Then have back-to-back night games Thursday and Friday.The Pirates have 13 games, including one split-squad day remaining in the preseason.
Team USA fell to Italy 8-6 last night in the World Baseball Classic in Houston. Italy had jumped out to an 8-0 lead by the sixth inning of the game.
The U.S. team is now in danger of not making the quarterfinal round, as they fell to 3-1. Their fate comes down to a game tonight between Italy and Mexico. If Italy wins the game to finish 4-0 in pool play, the U.S. is in. If Mexico wins the game, it will go to a tie-breaker. If tonight’s game goes nine innings, the United States would need Mexico to win by five or more runs. If Mexico wins by four or fewer runs, Mexico and Italy reach the quarterfinals.