Team USA beats Canada to set up WBC semis showdown vs. D.R. - ESPN

HOUSTON — The dream World Baseball Classic matchup between Team USA and the Dominican Republic is on — and it will determine which country advances to the championship game.

The United States booked its spot in the WBC semifinals with a 5-3 victory against Canada on Friday night, joining the Dominican team that mercy-ruled Korea in a 10-0 win in seven innings. San Francisco right-hander Logan Webb twirled 4⅔ shutout innings, and Team USA withstood a late Canada rally to set up the Sunday night showdown between the tournament's two most talented teams.

Team USA ace Paul Skenes will start against the D.R. in the semifinals, with an expanded pitch count — limited in earlier rounds, starters can throw up to 95 pitches in the semifinals and finals — and a lineup of All-Stars in his way. The formidable Dominican offense already has tied a record for home runs by a team in the WBC with 14.

The Americans, meanwhile, have staggered along, far from a dominant force but good enough to sneak out of pool play and slip by Canada in front of 38,054 at Daikin Park.

A run-scoring groundout by Kyle Schwarber in the first inning staked the U.S. to a 1-0 lead, and it tacked on a pair of runs in the third when Canada third baseman Abraham Toro fielded a ground ball with the bases loaded and threw it over first baseman Josh Naylor's head. The Americans added two more run-scoring singles by Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong in the sixth inning, stretching their advantage to 5-0.

By then, Webb had exited to a standing ovation, seemingly leaving Team USA in good hands. With a near-equal mix of his excellent sinker, changeup and sweeper, Webb held Canada to four hits and struck out five over 71 pitches. He was replaced by Brad Keller, who