Cinderella in '17, Israel opens Classic vs. Nicaragua (Sun., 12 p.m. ...

MIAMI -- After dropping its opener to Puerto Rico, 9-1, on Saturday, Nicaragua looks to avoid an 0-2 start in Pool D play when it takes on Israel Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park.

On the other side, Israel, who was off on Saturday, will look to get off to another hot start, much like it did during its Cinderella run in 2017.

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

How can you watch: The game between Nicaragua and Israel will be live on FS2. Games are available on FOX, FS1, FS2, Tubi or FOX Deportes, and every game can be streamed online in the FOX Sports App. For international viewing options, click here.

How you can listen: Live audio coverage of all games will be carried on Sirius XM, TuneIN, MLB.com and in the MLB App.

What’s at stake: The 20 teams have been placed in four pools of five teams for the first round of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, with each team playing the others in its pool once each and the teams with the two best records in each pool at the end of this round advancing to the knockout stage. Nicaragua comes in with an 0-1 record, while Israel will play its first game of the ‘23 tournament. The other teams in Pool D are Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

Matchup history: It will be the first time Nicaragua and Israel compete against each other in World Baseball Classic play.

Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Nicaragua: Though he went hitless in the opening game against Puerto Rico, Cuthbert is the best hitter in the lineup for the central American country.

Joc Pederson, OF, Israel: No other hitter in the Israeli lineup has more Major League experience than Pederson, who gives Israel some pop in the middle of the order. Pederson, who has earned the nickname “Joctober” due to his strong postseason performances, loves the bright lights.