World Baseball Classic

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

This was huge for Canada after having their confidence shaken against the South Africans. The sad part about it is that this win will do absolutely nothing for baseball in this country. Even so, a colossal upset and hopefully the momentum can carry over to the game versus Mexico.

 

Begs to differ. It won't be huge, but its certainly not bad.

 

I just saw the score, none of the game. Certainly not upset, but the fuck?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I won't have time to do this tomorrow morning. All times Eastern.

 

Italy vs. Dominican Republic (1pm, ESPN Deportes, 2am on ESPN 2)

 

No more live games on ESPN. Some local channels are carrying games though, so keep an eye out. Italy is 1-1, and could advance with a victory. The Dominicans would assure the next round with a victory as well. Given how dominant the Dominicans looked against Venezuela, it is hard to imagine Italy giving them a scare. Strangers things have happened though.

 

Cuba vs. Netherlands (7pm, ESPN Deportes)

 

Panama gave Cuba a scare today, but Cuba again displayed their seemingly clutch ability to win tight games late. The Netherlands look on their way to losing to Puerto Rico tonight. If they can't beat Cuba, it's over for them. Cuba can advance with a win.

 

Venezuela vs. Australia (8pm)

 

Australia can't suck as bad as they did against Italy, can they?

 

Mexico vs. Canada (8pm)

 

Here it is, the single most important game of the tournament. And spanish viewers can catch it at 2am on tape delay? I know WWOR 9 in NYC is carrying the game live. Here is how it works. I assume Mexico beats South Africa as I write this. If Canada wins, they and the United States advance to the second round (assuming the US goes on to beat Canada). If Mexico wins, they will advance. If that happens, but Canada allows four runs or less, Canada will advance. If Canada allows six or more runs in a loss, the US will advance. If Canada allows five runs (all earned), it comes down to batting average. And I'm not doing the math.

 

Simple, no?

[CanadianChris 0]

Here is how it works. I assume Mexico beats South Africa as I write this. If Canada wins, they and the United States advance to the second round (assuming the US goes on to beat Canada). If Mexico wins, they will advance. If that happens, but Canada allows four runs or less, Canada will advance. If Canada allows six or more runs in a loss, the US will advance. If Canada allows five runs (all earned), it comes down to batting average. And I'm not doing the math.

That's not right, it can't be.

 

Right now, USA has allowed 8 runs in common games, Canada 6, and Mexico 2. The only way for Canada and Mexico to advance would be for the final score of this game to be Mexico 1, Canada 0. Otherwise, the winner of this game and the USA both advance (assuming Mexico and USA both beat South Africa). Excepting where Canada allows 2 runs, then it goes into the other tiebreakers.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Here is how it works. I assume Mexico beats South Africa as I write this. If Canada wins, they and the United States advance to the second round (assuming the US goes on to beat Canada). If Mexico wins, they will advance. If that happens, but Canada allows four runs or less, Canada will advance. If Canada allows six or more runs in a loss, the US will advance. If Canada allows five runs (all earned), it comes down to batting average. And I'm not doing the math.

That's not right, it can't be.

 

Right now, USA has allowed 8 runs in common games, Canada 6, and Mexico 2. The only way for Canada and Mexico to advance would be for the final score of this game to be Mexico 1, Canada 0. Otherwise, the winner of this game and the USA both advance (assuming Mexico and USA both beat South Africa).

I think I messed up my algebra. My apologies, my windshield got smashed on the road today and it's been a long one. Canada could allow two runs in a loss and easily win it. The earned runs are the same, so it would go to batting average. US's team batting average in the two games is .231. Canada's average today was .342. So they'd have to have an awful day at the plate. Which they would if they only scored two runs.

[CanadianChris 0]

My apologies, my windshield got smashed on the road today and it's been a long one.

That sucks. No injuries, I hope.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

My apologies, my windshield got smashed on the road today and it's been a long one.

That sucks. No injuries, I hope.

Just the car. I was driving and the truck I was next two lost a bolt, which proceeded to bounce onto my windshield, cracking it. The bolt came to rest on the hood of my car, and it will be on display if I ever warrant my own museum exhibit.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

I'm rooting for a U.S. departure in the first round to end this whole concept by killing the crowds for the next rounds. Seriously. This thing is nothing but a meaningless exhibition of players, and not even the best players in some cases. I'm totally against it and almost glad Utley's gigantic fly out didn't go over. Sorry to be a downer but I agree with those who have spoken out against this silly tournament. Get the boys back in spring training and working out.

[cbacon 0]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article...xt=.jsp&sid=wbc

 

Canada, already a distinctly advanced society, took another step up the evolutionary ladder Wednesday, defeating the U.S. at the American national game.

[treble 0]

Next year, we send a man to the moon!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm rooting for a U.S. departure in the first round to end this whole concept by killing the crowds for the next rounds. Seriously. This thing is nothing but a meaningless exhibition of players, and not even the best players in some cases. I'm totally against it and almost glad Utley's gigantic fly out didn't go over. Sorry to be a downer but I agree with those who have spoken out against this silly tournament. Get the boys back in spring training and working out.

If you don't like it, just don't watch it. I know there are problems with the concept, but there are some really fun things about this tournament. It's tremendous to see players like Sung Yeop Lee, Lenin Pecota, Francisco Campos, etc. who don't compete in MLB but are just as good. It's interesting to see exactly how well the Cubans stack up against professionals.

 

As for Spring Training, I know some people may miss the stars, but it's nice to see unheralded players get a shot.

[Red Baron 0]

Next year, we send a man to the moon!

 

But first we need to pave our own roads, and then get our first McDonalds!

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

At least this tournament means something, unlike the bloody Grapefruit league. Personally, I love the concept.

[jwpeer 0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/worldclassic...tory?id=2361345

 

 

Vlad's rejoining the D.R. team.

 

As if they needed additional offense, but that'll be pretty emotional for him and the team.

[CanadianChris 0]

Yikes. 4-0 Mexico in the first. Four straight two-out extra-base hits.

 

USA is now through to round 2 with a win over South Africa tomorrow. Canada can only advance if they come back and win this game, unless the unthinkable happens and South Africa wins.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Damn Mexicans. You stop at 1-0. Sigh.

[2GOLD 0]

So Canada beats USA but they are eliminated because they gave up too many runs?

I'm sorry, but I'm calling bullshit on the format. Canada should be advancing no matter how badly they went down against Mexico.

 

How can you end with the same record, hold the head to head win, and be the one eliminated?

ETA: Hell, according to the tiebreaker rules on the WBC website the USA team should be gone. I'm confused.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Because US beat Mexico who beat Canada who beat the US. H2H doesn't work.

 

Although, I don't see why the tiebreaker couldn't have been run differential instead of allowing the least runs. But, Canada would have been out in that case, also.

[Urban Warfare 0]

So Canada beats USA but they are eliminated because they gave up too many runs?

I'm sorry, but I'm calling bullshit on the format. Canada should be advancing no matter how badly they went down against Mexico.

 

How can you end with the same record, hold the head to head win, and be the one eliminated?

ETA: Hell, according to the tiebreaker rules on the WBC website the USA team should be gone. I'm confused.

 

Beat me to it, this is total bullshit, but hey, we still beat the US, so I'm happy.

[Guest Princess Leena]

It's not bullshit. There will be 3 teams at 2-1 when the US beats RSA tomorrow. Only 2 can advance. Canada gave up the most runs, so you must leave. Them's the breaks.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

It should come down to head to head, not runs or any other statiscal BS. Stats should only come in if head to head can't decide the winner. Canada beats the US yet has to hope that South Africa can pull an even bigger upset so they can advance? That's complete crap.

[naiwf 0]

It should come down to head to head, not runs or any other statiscal BS. Stats should only come in if head to head can't decide the winner. Canada beats the US yet has to hope that South Africa can pull an even bigger upset so they can advance? That's complete crap.

 

Assuming the USA beats RSA, we take them out of the mix and the H2H says

 

Canada 1-1 beat USA, lost to Mexico

Mexico 1-1 beat Canada, lost to USA

USA 1-1 beat Mexico, lost to Canada

 

Who do you eliminate based on that? That's exactly why it's coming down to stats which is what you said it should come down to.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

What I'm saying is that the US and Canada will have matching 2-1 records and that the US should be eliminated based on their loss to Canada.

[Bored 0]

Three teams tied, two teams advance, the three teams won and lost a game against the other. What are you not understanding?

[Guest]

But Mexico has a 2-1 record so they should be in because they beat Canada. Oh wait, the US has a 2-1 record too, so they should be in because they beat Mexico. OOPS. Why don't you complain about the Olympic tournaments too, they go by goals/points/runs (not anymore) scored to decide?

[naiwf 0]

What I'm saying is that the US and Canada will have matching 2-1 records and that the US should be eliminated based on their loss to Canada.

 

Are you blind or just being silly? Based on your stance, Mexico and Canada have matching 2-1 records, so the Canadians should be eliminated based on their loss to Mexico. Or, USA and Mexico have matching 2-1 records, and the Mexicans should be eliminated based on their loss to USA.

 

It's a THREE WAY TIE, you can't select the result you want (Canada def. USA) to have precedence over everything else.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

Well it makes sense but beating the US and not advancing just sucks. Every other pool had two decisive winners but this one. Canada should have been 1-2 and this discussion should really not even be happening. I also conviniently forgot about Mexico's loss to the US. My bad.

[Guest Smues]

So does a US win tomorrow guarantee them the 2nd round, or do they have to win by some margin, or not give up x number or runs, or anything goofy like that?

[Urban Warfare 0]

I'm fairly sure a win tomorrow, and they're in, but runs will factor in.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah, it's South Africa.

[naiwf 0]

So does a US win tomorrow guarantee them the 2nd round, or do they have to win by some margin, or not give up x number or runs, or anything goofy like that?

 

Win and they're in.

[Guest]

Watch, South Africa's gonna win tomorrow, rendering this entire conversation pointless. I kid, I kid.