World Baseball Classic 2013 Schedule: Breaking Down Friday's Games

After some explosive games to start off qualifying play for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, we have some exciting matchups to watch on Friday.

Whether it be a rising young squad or a team full of hardened veterans, you can expect there to be plenty of highlights as countries vie to qualify for the historic tournament.

Here's a look at each matchup on Friday. You can watch the games live at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

Spain vs. Israel

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Israel used a combination of pitchers in its opening 7-3 win over South Africa on Wednesday.

Eric Berger of Triple-A Columbus (Cleveland Indians) started for the team, throwing three innings of two-hit ball, striking out three. The rest of the staff did the rest, giving up three runs (two earned) over the final six frames.

The big bats in this one were first baseman Nate Freiman (2-of-5, two home runs, two RBI, two runs) and catcher Charles Cutler of Double-A Altoona (Pittsburgh Pirates), who went 2-for-3 with three RBI.

As for Spain, the team dominated France on Thursday, 8-0.

Right-hander Nick Schumacher pitched 6.1 innings of four-hit ball, striking out four in the process. 

On offense, second baseman Paco Figueroa—who hit .259 at Double-A Reading last season—was a big player for Spain, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs.

Barbaro Canizares, who exploded in the Triple-A Mexican League this season, was 2-for-5 with one home run, two RBI and a run. He hit .348 with 28 home runs, 103 RBI and 85 runs for Guerreros de Oaxaca this season and is a player to be feared moving forward.

Germany vs. Czech Republic

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Germany and the Czech Republic play their WBC-openers on Friday in Qualifier 2.

There are 13 German players currently on MLB rosters, including outfielder Max Kepler, who signed the most lucrative signing bonus ever given to a European player in 2009, courtesy of the Minnesota Twins.

Kepler hit .297 with 10 home runs, 49 RBI and 40 runs in 232 at-bats this season with the Elizabethton Twins (Rookie Appalachian League).

There's also first baseman Donald Lutz, who hit .269 with 22 home runs, 71 RBI and 62 runs across three levels of minor league baseball this season. The Cincinnati Reds have high hopes for the 23-year-old. 

The Czech Republic is a clear underdog in this matchup. The Czechs are ranked No. 25 in the world according to the IBAF.

On the other hand, the team did show some promise in the European Championships, beating No. 5 Netherlands and playing Germany, Sweden and Spain close.

In fact, the Czech Republic lost to Germany in extra innings, 5-4, getting some strong performances from the pitching staff and the offense throughout.

Look for this to be a close game as the Czech Republic's rising youngsters try to upstage the favorites.

South Africa vs. France

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Despite a strong effort from lefty Dylan Unsworth (one earned run, six innings), South Africa's bullpen let it down against Israel, giving up six runs (five earned) in the final three innings.

South Africa's offense wasn't exactly spectacular, either, collectively going 3-for-31 and leaving 18 runners on base. The 7-8-9 hitters in the lineup provided the scoring. Each had an RBI apiece.

As for France, the team suffered an embarrassing loss to Spain on Thursday, going 5-of-29 as a team with no extra-base hits.

Left-hander Patrice Briones got lit up early, allowing five runs (three earned) in the first two innings. It certainly didn't help that the French had two errors.

Given South Africa and France are ranked No. 35 and No. 37 in the world respectively by IBAF, it wasn't a surprise that both teams lost in opening qualifying play.