Chinese Taipei, Czechia find themselves in similar predicament (10 p.m. ET, FS2)

TOKYO -- Chinese Taipei entered the World Baseball Classic as the reigning Premier12 champions with hopes of advancing to the second round for just the second time in tournament history. But with injuries ravaging the lineup and an inability to stop a powerful Samurai Japan lineup, the team is now looking at a battle to avoid a trip to the Qualifiers.

The Czechs will also be looking for a crucial first win, too. After losing to Korea, 11-4, they dropped a 5-1 contest to Australia that remained in flux until the ninth inning. With the nation’s final game coming against Japan, this is a must-win game for Czechia.

Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:

When and where: Friday, 10 p.m. ET at Tokyo Dome (Saturday, noon local time)

How you can watch: The game will be on FS2 in the United States and streaming on Netflix in Japan. Click here to view viewing options in other countries and territories.

How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.

Team results: Both teams are 0-2 and in the bottom of the Tokyo pool. While they are not yet mathematically eliminated, this is really a fight to avoid playing in the Qualifiers.

Probable starting pitchers: Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang vs. Jan Novak

The No. 27 prospect in the Athletics system, Zhuang spent the season in Double-A, posting a 4.08 ERA and -- more importantly -- throwing 145 2/3 innings after shoulder surgery wiped out all of 2023. While his fastball can hit 96 mph, he’ll change speeds with his heater, throwing it anywhere between 86-96, and he pairs that with a low-80s changeup that’s his best secondary. He made one start in the 2025 Qualifier, giving up four hits and two runs in three innings of work.

A former Orioles prospect, Novak pitched just one inning in the 2023 Classic while returning from injury. Healthy again, the southpaw proved crucial for the Czechs in its 2025 European Baseball Championship bronze medal run, tossing 7 1/3 shutout innings while striking out nine and giving up just three hits. He’s represented the senior national team since 2012 and will be tasked with one of his biggest starts yet.

What’s at stake: Win and you likely stay in the World Baseball Classic pool for the next tournament. The last-place team in each pool is relegated to a Qualifier. Because it’s still possible that each of these teams could finish with one win, it’s not a guarantee, however. (Chinese Taipei was relegated to a Qualifier after all five teams in its pool finished 2-2.) Information on tiebreakers can be found here.

Matchup history: Czechia and Chinese Taipei have never played each other in the World Baseball Classic, but they faced off for a pair of exhibition games during the Czechs’ 2024 Asian Series. The teams tied 2-2 in the first contest, and Chinese Taipei won the second, 10-3.