Expect a festive WBC final crowd as the US plays Venezuela at an uncomfortable political moment

"Putting U.S. on your chest and going out there and competing obviously means the world. As Venezuelan players, we are playing for our country, and, of course, putting Latin America in a high position, showing that we have great baseball, we have great talent."

"We're here to speak baseball. Our country deserves the game tomorrow. Players and coaches avoided discussing the political turmoil between the U.S. and Venezuela, heightened since the U.S. military captured Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro in January."

The United States and Venezuela compete for the World Baseball Classic championship on Tuesday night in Miami. The U.S. team, led by Aaron Judge, Roman Anthony, and Kyle Schwarber, aims to win its second title since 2017 after narrowly avoiding elimination in the group stage. Venezuela, headed by All-Stars Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arraez, seeks its first championship in the tournament's sixth edition. The matchup carries political significance given tensions between the two nations, though players and coaches focused on baseball rather than geopolitics. Venezuela defeated Japan 8-5 in the semifinals, while the U.S. advanced through earlier rounds. Miami's large Venezuelan population has created a festive atmosphere supporting Venezuela throughout the tournament.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles