2013 World Baseball Classic

Less than a day after beating the United States in an elimination game, Puerto Rico will be back on the diamond Saturday afternoon against the Dominican Republic at Marlins Park in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez will get the ball for the Dominican Republic, and Orlando Roman is the probable starter for Puerto Rico.

The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 4-2 in pool play back on March 10.

Just like that, the 2013 World Baseball Classic has come down to four teams.

We all expected that Japan would come out of Pool 1, and the two-time WBC champions are joined in San Francisco by a Netherlands squad that nobody thought had the pitching to make a deep run in the tournament.

The United States has made a habit of leaving a lot to be desired in the World Baseball Classic, with a fourth-place result in 2009 being the best showing.

That's not the worst thing. After all, other countries' success might benefit the event and help market it to the rest of the world. 

As the World Baseball Classic winds down, it is important to remember just how it is we got where we are. There are four countries left standing, with Pool 2 ending on Saturday and the Championship Round beginning Sunday, trying to determine which is the best in the world. 

Day 14 at the 2013 World Baseball Classic featured one monumental showdown in Miami. The United States and Puerto Rico went head to head in an elimination game. 

With a spot in the World Baseball Classic semifinals on the line, Puerto Rico shut down the United States early and held on late for a shocking 4-3 win on Friday night.

38-year-old journeyman Nelson Figueroa completely baffled the Americans, holding them to just two hits and one walk through six scoreless innings, striking out two in the process. 

Puerto Rico took the early lead in the first inning when Mike Aviles singled home Angel Pagan off starter Ryan Vogelsong.

David Wright could be out for the rest of the World Baseball Classic with sore ribs, and Team USA officials already have the perfect replacement and another great young third baseman on their radar in Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres.

USA defeated Puerto Rico in the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, 7-1.

The Americans got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. After 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun walked with two outs, catcher Joe Mauer doubled to center field to drive him home.

The United States and Puerto Rico face off to begin Pool 2 play tonight. The Americans were expected to reach this point, although they faced a lot more pressure than expected to secure a spot, while the Puerto Rican squad is a minor surprise.

The United States, Italy, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico advanced through from Pools C and D to make it to the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. The Dominican Republic and the United States won Pools C and D, respectively, to make it to the second round while Puerto Rico and Italy were runners-up in Pools C and D, respectively.