The eyes of the baseball globe are on Miami as the best talent in the sport requires aspect in the final games of the Planet Baseball Classic – all top up to Tuesday’s title game inside loanDepot park.

From many teams who have hoisted the trophy prior to as champions of the tournament to other individuals that are nevertheless hunting to do so for the initially time, the field is stacked with talent all hunting to show off their talents on the international stage.

With just a handful of games left in the tournament, here’s what you want to know ahead of the semifinal round of the Planet Baseball Classic.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 14: Manny Machado #13 of the Dominican Republic hits a house run in the third inning against Israel at loanDepot park on March 14, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Photos)

How Players Choose Which Nation to Play For

1 appear at the rosters for the WBC could possibly have some folks questioning how they are formed – in specific, how does a player like Miami born and raised Manny Machado play for Group Dominican Republic rather of the United States.

In addition to playing for the nation you had been born in, there are other methods a player can be eligible for a precise nation:

• Hold citizenship or have a permanent residence in the nation.
• Have documentation displaying you would be eligible for citizenship if you applied.
• Have at least a single parent who was born in the nation or holds citizenship.
• Previously represented the nation in the WBC.

Cuba Utilizes MLB Talent, Tends to make Miami Debut in Planet Baseball Classic

It comes with lots of controversy off the field, but the national group representing Cuba will be in South Florida for the initially time in the 5 WBC editions. Cuba played in Japan throughout the initially 4 editions and was in Taiwan to start off this year’s tournament when also playing in San Diego throughout the 2006 and 2009 tournaments.

This year is also the initially time Cuba will have Big League Baseball players on their roster – which includes such names as Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada from the Chicago White Sox, Andy Ibanez from the Detroit Tigers along with 3 pitchers on MLB rosters.

BUNKYO CITY, JAPAN – MARCH 16: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Group Japan reacts throughout the 2023 Planet Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game in between Group Italy and Group Japan at Tokyo Dome on Thursday, March 16, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/WBCI/MLB Photographs by means of Getty Photos)

And Then There Had been (Just about) 4

What began as field of 20 teams – expanded from 16 teams in the initially 4 Planet Baseball Classics – is now down to just 5 teams left playing for a likelihood to be the champs.

3 of the spots in the semifinal round have currently been clinched. Japan, which won the initially two WBC tournaments, is in and will take on Mexico immediately after their win more than Puerto Rico on Friday. Cuba, which was the runner-up in the 2006 tournament, will take on the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal in between the Untied States – the 2017 winner – and Venezuela.

Miami in the Spotlight

There have been occasions prior to when a venue has hosted much more than a single round of games in the Planet Baseball Classic, but not like what we’ve noticed at loanDepot park this year.

The house of the Miami Marlins has been the web page of play in Pool D of the initially round, half of the quarterfinal games and will host each semifinal games and the title game on Tuesday. It is the fourth time Miami has hosted games in the WBC.