Aaron Nola will start Monday night's World Baseball Classic semifinal for Italy against Venezuela, a move confirmed by manager Francisco Cervelli hours before the team's arrival at Miami's LoanDepot Park. The 32-year-old right-hander earned the win in Italy's group stage finale against Mexico on March 11, pitching five scoreless innings with five strikeouts and one walk while throwing 69 pitches. Keider Montero, a 25-year-old Venezuelan right-hander, will oppose Nola in the matchup that determines who advances to Tuesday night's final against the United States.

Cervelli's decision to bench Michael Lorenzen came with strategic timing, placing Nola—who has a 1.80 ERA in WBC play—in a high-pressure game against a strong Venezuelan lineup. Italy's offense struggled against Nola's previous outing, scoring just one run in seven innings against him during the group stage, while Venezuela's Montero has been effective in the tournament with a 2.00 ERA. The semifinal result will directly shape Italy's path to baseball's premier international competition final.

The stakes are amplified by Italy's underdog status and the tournament's prestige, with the winner facing a US team featuring stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. in the championship game. Nola's performance Monday could cement his legacy in international baseball, while Italy seeks its first WBC title since 2000. The game's outcome will be a critical test for both teams' tournament aspirations.