The WBC semifinal between Mexico and Japan turned out to be a classic struggle of an underdog versus a favorite. Mexico got out to an early lead. Japan kept fighting back. Multiple times they loaded the bases, but fly balls to Randy Arozarena kept them big innings. Japan collected ten hits and seven walks, but only two went for extra bases. Mexico, with nine hits and two walks went four for six with runners in scoring position, Japan just two for seven.

Japan kept scoring in the late innings, however, and the bottom of the ninth saw them down one run with their big bats coming up. Shohei Ohtani doubled leading off the ninth, Masataka Yoshida, who hit a three-run homer earlier, drew a walk. That set up young star Munetaka Murakami, who had not played his best in the series. He hit a ball off the wall in left-center, both runners scored, and Japan goes to the final.

That sets up the final between the two major centers of professional baseball, the United States and Japan, on Tuesday night. It’s New York versus Tokyo, Aaron versus Oh, Trout versus Ohtani, King Kong versus Godzilla.

This should be fun.