The United States Olympic baseball team defeated the Japan team by a score of 4-2 earlier today in Beijing. The win ended the preliminary round and placed the US in third place for the finals that begin tomorrow. The US compiled a 5-2 record in the first round.

As the third seed the US must face Cuba, the second seed. Cuba's record was 6-1 in the first round of the tournament. South Korea who went undefeated at 7-0 will play against Japan who finished the preliminaries at 4-3. Cuba defeated the US in the first round in a close game by the score of 5-4.

The winner of both games will play for gold in the medal round while the losers will fight for the bronze in a game on Friday.