World Baseball Classic

[Guest Princess Leena]

I was going to bring up a shortened season. Does the "sanctity" of records really still exist? The only major statistics that will be lessened with a shortened season are HR's and RBI's.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I was going to bring up a shortened season. Does the "sanctity" of records really still exist? The only major statistics that will be lessened with a shortened season are HR's and RBI's.

A handful, like team wins. It's unlikely, but it only takes one slugger sitting on 170 RBIs to stir the pot. Plus, you're effectively taking away home dates, and thus revenue, from each MLB club. If you think George Steinbrenner is mad now....

[Vern Gagne 0]

It's supposed to be every four years, so chances are George won't be running the Yankees the next time this comes around.

[naiwf 0]

Are the other brackets going to have some competitive games in front of crowds or are we looking at a bunch of mercy rule type deals with 1 fan in every 10th seat with them as well?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Are the other brackets going to have some competitive games in front of crowds or are we looking at a bunch of mercy rule type deals with 1 fan in every 10th seat with them as well?

A little of each. The first round is tricky as most pools include two good teams and two bad teams. There is little incentive for the good teams to battle hard when both are assure of second round berths. There are some good games coming up though, notably Canada/Mexico and DR/Venezuela. The big question besides those games is how good exactly the Cuban team is.

 

Once we reach the second round, you'll see some highly competitive matchups.

[Guest Smues]

Oh cool the China game is on ESPN2. I was listening to it on XM on the drive home not expecting it to be on TV. That is one empty stadium.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Korea is an inning away from pulling off an upset win over Japan.

[jwpeer 0]

Korea got the win. That second Japan-Korea game is gonna be friggin tense.

 

 

You know what would be sad/make me laugh at the same time: USA goes into the 2nd round, then loses to both of them.

[Guest Princess Leena]

But, unfortunately, the second Japan-Korea would be played in Los Angeles of Anaheim.

[Bored 0]

South Africa lost to the A's yesterday 13-1 with Bobby Crosby and Nick Swisher as their only regulars playing in the game. If they manage to be within 15 runs after five innings (when the mercy rule would go into effect) against the U.S. it'll be a major upset.

[Der Kommissar 0]

Also, Italy lost to a split squad Tigers team 6-5 yesterday. I can only imagine how ugly their games against the Dominican Republic & Venezuela will be.

 

What was the point of putting teams like Italy & South Africa in there again?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

So far this tournament has shown how far behind some of these countries are in terms of baseball talent. There are ten nations capable of putting out competitive teams right now, maybe eleven. The WBC would be better served limiting the amount of teams next time. Put the lesser teams in a qualifying tournament and let a couple in.

[Red Baron 0]

Also, Italy lost to a split squad Tigers team 6-5 yesterday. I can only imagine how ugly their games against the Dominican Republic & Venezuela will be.

 

What was the point of putting teams like Italy & South Africa in there again?

 

 

Is the Tigers really that bad then?

[Guest Princess Leena]

So far this tournament has shown how far behind some of these countries are in terms of baseball talent. There are ten nations capable of putting out competitive teams right now, maybe eleven. The WBC would be better served limiting the amount of teams next time. Put the lesser teams in a qualifying tournament and let a couple in.

 

I'd like to see them use the Olympic hockey format... 2 pools of 6 teams. Also, it would be a good test of a 5-man pitching staff.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Tomorrow's Schedule. All times Eastern.

 

1pm: Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic (ESPN)

4pm: Mexico vs. United States (ESPN2)

7pm: Panama vs. Puerto Rico (ESPN Deportes, 3am on ESPN2)

8pm: Australia vs. Italy (ESPN Deportes 2am)

9pm: Canada vs. South Africa (ESPN Deportes 10:30, 2:30am on ESPN2)

 

Johan Santana takes the mound for Venezuela while Bartolo Colon pitches for the Dominicans. That is without question a big time marquis matchup, as good as we are likely to see in the first round. The Venezuelans are slightly better on paper but the teams are close enough that either can win.

 

USA/Mexico will see Jake Peavy pitch against Rodrigo Lopez. Mexico is good enough to keep this somewhat competitive, but I think they will take some caution not to use their best pitchers in a futile effort and then lose them for the Canadian game.

 

The other three games are vitually inaccessable to television viewers, even to those with ESPN Deportes. Some local stations are carrying games so keep an eye on your local listings. XM Radio will carry the games live. Canada/South Africa will feature Baltimore prospect Adam Loewen as Canada's starter. Panama/Puerto Rico will see Lenin Pecota battle Javier Vazquez. Puerto Rico is likely to win that game, but Panama has some MLB talent including Carlos Lee. Australia/Italy will see Quad-A starters John Stephens and Jason Grilli. That game is essentially a toss-up.

[geniusMoment 0]

I'm pumped for 4, and am skipping class. I can't wait to see Griffey in a somewhat competitive environment again.

 

With a lineup of:

Damon

Jeter

Griffey Jr.

A Rod

Mark Teixiera

Derreck Lee

Brian Schneider

Randy Winn

Chase Utley

 

From 1-6 it's all star caliber, it really falls off after that, but still, the team will be tough to beat.

[Guest Princess Leena]

I'm guessing by the omission of any mention of South African players, that they have no potential prospects.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Utley's All-Star caliber without a doubt. He had the highest OPS of any second baseman in baseball last year. Brian Schneider's relatively unknown, but he's a great defensive catcher who has nailed 43.7% of basestealers over his career.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Dominicans and US win their respective games. Puerto Rico leads Panama 2-1 in the 7th in a competitive matchup. Italy leads Australia 4-0 in the fourth. No score in the Canada/South Africa game. South Africa's Carl Michaels seems like a competant pitcher.

[sfaJack 0]

How long until we hear about what a disappointment Team USA was in its debut?

 

My God! Only 2-0!!!!!

[jwpeer 0]

How long until we hear about what a disappointment Team USA was in its debut?

 

My God! Only 2-0!!!!!

 

 

It's all about pitching, and we're the only country with quality depth at pitching, especially in the bullpen.

 

That will be important.

[Guest StylesMark]

How long until we hear about what a disappointment Team USA was in its debut?

 

My God! Only 2-0!!!!!

 

They said it at the end of the broadcast on ESPN 2.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Apparently someone from Panama missed a scouting report. NEVER try to steal on Yadier Molina.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Italy leads Australia 9-0, going to the bottom of the 7th. The next run they score will be a walk-off. Puerto Rico beat Panama 2-1. South Africa has held Canada to a scoreless tie through four.

[Guest Smues]

I listened to most of the US game on XM and caught the last inning on TV. Good debut outing from the Americans, and Chipper hitting a homerun makes me happy.

[CanadianChris 0]

Man, it's fun seeing Ernie Whitt again.

 

Matt Stairs with a 2-run double, 3-0 Canada in the 5th.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Paul Quantrill is currently experiencing a sign that it is time to retire.

[treble 0]

Yeah. I think they just said he was retiring after the tournament and just wanted to play for his country before calling it a career.

[CanadianChris 0]

Paul Quantrill is currently experiencing a sign that it is time to retire.

You mean he hasn't already?

[treble 0]

And now they're losing.