Miami, FL (My Sportsbook) - The United States continues its World Baseball Classic slate tonight, as it opens the second round with a Pool 2 matchup against Puerto Rico at Dolphin Stadium.

Like Round 1, this round will be double elimination. Tonight's winner will face the victor between the Netherlands and Venezuela on Monday, while the losers will square off in an elimination contest on Sunday.

The U.S. just got by Canada to open pool play last Saturday at Toronto's Rogers Centre, then destroyed Venezuela, 15-6, the following day to advance to the next round. However, Team USA's perfect run and a chance at the top seed coming out of Pool C was ended on Wednesday, when Venezuela avenged the previous loss by topping Davey Johnson's club, 5-3.

Speaking of Johnson, the American manager will not be in the dugout on Saturday when his team takes the field, as he will be attending the wedding of his stepson in St. Petersburg. Former Cincinnati Reds great Barry Larkin, who is a coach on Johnson's staff, will manage the club.

Johnson is expected to re-join the team on Sunday.

Team USA batted .299 through its first three games, while managing 24 runs.

The U.S. has an advantage in that no team possesses a 1-2 combination at the top of the rotation like Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt. However, Team USA pitched to a 5.33 ERA in their first three games.

Peavy is expected to get the ball tonight. He started Game 1 against Canada but did not get a decision, surrendering two runs and two hits in three innings.

Puerto Rico, meanwhile, steamrolled its way through Pool D by winning all three of its games, including a pair of wins over the surprising Netherlands.

It was Puerto Rico's pitching staff that carried the load, allowing just one earned run over 27 innings while striking out 28 and walking just eight.

Righty Javier Vazquez set the tone by tossing 4 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 1 against Panama. He is expected to get the call tonight for Jose Oquendo's club.

Carlos Delgado paced a potent Puerto Rican lineup, going 5-for-6 with five walks in the three games. Ivan Rodriguez, who is still looking for a big league job, knocked in five runs in Round 1 while hitting .545.