3/4 WBC: Japan vs Chinese Taipei

[texascub]

Japan is up 3-0 after a half inning thanks to a Hitoshi Tamura 3-run HR.

[texascub]

Top of the 2nd now and Japan has the bases loaded, Chinese Taipei is already on their 3rd pitcher and they're supposed to be short on pitching.

[texascub]

Fukudome got a sac fly to make it 4-0 after 2 1/2 innings now.

[texascub]

Chinese Taipei got one across in the bottom of the 2nd on a play that I haven't really seen before. The ball slipped out of the pitcher's hand on the way up towards the plate and it continued forward but didn't reach the plate, so the ump called it a balk and one run was allowed in.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

My goodness, Daisuke Matsuzaka has some filthy stuff. I wouldn't mind him being a Cub in 2007.

 

Chinese Taipei got one across in the bottom of the 2nd on a play that I haven't really seen before. The ball slipped out of the pitcher's hand on the way up towards the plate and it continued forward but didn't reach the plate, so the ump called it a balk and one run was allowed in.

 

Yeah, that was strange.

[texascub]

I've been impressed with the types of pitches that pitchers from both teams have thrown, but one thing that has also stuck out to me is how mobile these asian catchers are behind the plate.They're always dancing around back there making stops and framing pitches.

[texascub]

I think I'm gonna hit the sack, have fun watching the rest of the game everyone.

[Balsa]

I watched the Japan vs. China game, and I have to say that Japan is a really good baseball team. Their starter for that game was Koji Uehara and he had just amazing stuff. 5 innings, 6 K's, and one mistake on a two-run homer. Naoyuki Shimizu got the save for that game, pitching 3 innings and striking out five.

 

Not only does Japan have an offense to match the US, but their pitching is very good as well. I could see them going to the finals easily.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I watched the Japan vs. China game, and I have to say that Japan is a really good baseball team. Their starter for that game was Koji Uehara and he had just amazing stuff. 5 innings, 6 K's, and one mistake on a two-run homer. Naoyuki Shimizu got the save for that game, pitching 3 innings and striking out five.

 

Not only does Japan have an offense to match the US, but their pitching is very good as well. I could see them going to the finals easily.

 

Based on how they played against China and Chinese Taipei, teams who have a combined, what, zero major leaguers?

[Balsa]

Hey just because they have no major leaguers doesn't mean they're not good. Cuba could be a big wild card.

[Guest]

I watched the Japan vs. China game, and I have to say that Japan is a really good baseball team. Their starter for that game was Koji Uehara and he had just amazing stuff. 5 innings, 6 K's, and one mistake on a two-run homer. Naoyuki Shimizu got the save for that game, pitching 3 innings and striking out five.

 

Not only does Japan have an offense to match the US, but their pitching is very good as well. I could see them going to the finals easily.

 

Based on how they played against China and Chinese Taipei, teams who have a combined, what, zero major leaguers?

Agreed. I think how they fare against South Korea tonight will reveal much more about Japan's chances in round two. The Koreans have some decent pitching, perhaps even better than Japan's.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hey just because they have no major leaguers doesn't mean they're not good. Cuba could be a big wild card.

 

But there's a difference between China and Taiwan's playing ability and Cuba's, whether they have major league players or not.

[Jon]

I watched the Japan vs. China game, and I have to say that Japan is a really good baseball team. Their starter for that game was Koji Uehara and he had just amazing stuff. 5 innings, 6 K's, and one mistake on a two-run homer. Naoyuki Shimizu got the save for that game, pitching 3 innings and striking out five.

 

Not only does Japan have an offense to match the US, but their pitching is very good as well. I could see them going to the finals easily.

 

Based on how they played against China and Chinese Taipei, teams who have a combined, what, zero major leaguers?

Agreed. I think how they fare against South Korea tonight will reveal much more about Japan's chances in round two. The Koreans have some decent pitching, perhaps even better than Japan's.

And they should be well rested. I don't think they're going to have any pitch count issues.