Tonight if the USA team wins against Japan it will mark the first time in eight years that they make the final game. Japan has been a real powerhouse in this tournament. The game will be played at Dodger Stadium. The last time that the US played in a semi-final game was in 2009 against Japan who eventually went on to become champions. This game will mark only the second time in four tries that the United States has reached the final four teams. The game will be on the MLB Network at 9 p.m. ET.

Japan knocking the cover off the ball

The small country has reached the semifinals in all four of the world baseball classic tournaments.

They are the only team to accomplish this feat. They won championships in both 2006 and 2009. In This tournament, Japan has been without their best player Shohei Otani who has been out with an ankle injury. They have still managed to come out of the first two rounds undefeated, winning all six games in Tokyo. The Japanese lineup has scored 46 runs in the six games. Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh and Sho Nakata have both hit three home runs and drove in eight in the tournament. Tsutsugoh was named the most valuable player of Pool B in the first round. Tomoyuki Sugano will get the start on the mound for Japan. He allowed five runs in his 8 1/3 innings so far in the tournament.

The USA's pitching staying strong

The starting pitching for the USA team has been doing nothing but getting outs. All of the starters, Chris Archer, Tanner Roark, Drew Smyly, and Marcus Stroman, combined for a 1.73 ERA with 25 strikeouts and just two walks in 26 innings. The United States will give the ball tonight to Tanner Roark the Washington Nationals pitcher.

In his last start, he did not fare too well. Tanner allowed three runs off three hits in his 1 1/3 innings of work.

The winner of this game will get the spot in Wednesday's championship game. It will be held at Dodger Stadium also. The winner will face Puerto Rico, who beat the Netherlands 4-3 with a walk-off in the 11th inning on Monday.
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