Changing my mind on WBC

[rjchapma]

I previously stated that the top team in the WBC was the Domincan team. After about half there team dropping out do you think that Puerto Rico has a legitamate shot now.

My teams now

Venezula

Domican Republic

US

Puerto Rico

Japan

[texascub]

Japan has a nice offense but their pitching isn't overly impressive. This is the way I see it:

 

Pool 1:

Japan

Korea

U.S.

Mexico

 

Pool 2:

Cuba

PR

Venezuela

DR

 

Anything can happen in international play though so I won't project past that for the time being.

[rjchapma]

Agreed Venezula's rotation is nuts though thats what gets me.

[J.R.]

I thought this thread would be a good place to eat crow over the WBC.

 

I mercilessly derided this event initially, but I've really enjoyed the games from Tokyo. I'm looking forward to this week's games.

[rjchapma]

me too some great games next week.

[UMFan83]

I think its pathetic that the later rounds of the tourney are single elimination. I know they are trying to get this done in a 3 week time span, but in one game, the better team does not always win, and seems to put an emphasis on pitching, specifically who is starting that day.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think its pathetic that the later rounds of the tourney are single elimination. I know they are trying to get this done in a 3 week time span, but in one game, the better team does not always win, and seems to put an emphasis on pitching, specifically who is starting that day.

 

It was the same way with the Olympics.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I drove by the WWS complex here in Orlando earlier today, and I'm growing more and more excited over watching a game or two this week. That, and I've started seeing some of the WBC jerseys floating around. I still hate the idea of it happening in March, but I NEED BASEBALL!

[SouthSideRyan]

Japan has a nice offense but their pitching isn't overly impressive. This is the way I see it:

 

Pool 1:

Japan

Korea

U.S.

Mexico

 

Pool 2:

Cuba

PR

Venezuela

DR

 

Anything can happen in international play though so I won't project past that for the time being.

 

Japan and Korea over the US?? Al Leiter isn't going to be pitching that many innings.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Japan has a nice offense but their pitching isn't overly impressive. This is the way I see it:

 

Pool 1:

Japan

Korea

U.S.

Mexico

 

Pool 2:

Cuba

PR

Venezuela

DR

 

Anything can happen in international play though so I won't project past that for the time being.

 

Japan and Korea over the US?? Al Leiter isn't going to be pitching that many innings.

 

I don't think he was ranking them.

[David]

I think its pathetic that the later rounds of the tourney are single elimination. I know they are trying to get this done in a 3 week time span, but in one game, the better team does not always win, and seems to put an emphasis on pitching, specifically who is starting that day.

 

Meh... while a series might be a little more representative, playoff style tournaments are always a crapshoot anyway.

 

I can't very often say that the best team in baseball wins the World Series.

 

The starting pitcher thing is definitely a valid point, though.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Japan has a nice offense but their pitching isn't overly impressive. This is the way I see it:

 

Pool 1:

Japan

Korea

U.S.

Mexico

 

Pool 2:

Cuba

PR

Venezuela

DR

 

Anything can happen in international play though so I won't project past that for the time being.

 

Change Cuba to Panama and Mexico to Canada and I agree.

 

Either way it'll be USA, Canada, the DR and Venezuela in the semis. With the US and Venezuela as the No. 1 seeds.

[1908]

Japan has a nice offense but their pitching isn't overly impressive.

Are you basing this off the first three games they've played in the tournament? Career stats of their staff? Just curious.

[rjchapma]

You really think Canada will do that well?

[BigbadB]

Sorry, no do overs on your picks. :D

[LoneStarCubFan]

You really think Canada will do that well?

 

They'll beat South Africa in the first round. All they have to do to advance is beat Mexico. Anything can happen in one game.

 

When they get to the second all they have to do is beat Japan and Korea. Japan is the weaker of the two teams and should be very beatable as they don't have much pitching. Once again it comes down to one game. Beat Korea and they're in the semis.

 

I think they can do that.

[1908]

You really think Canada will do that well?

 

They'll beat South Africa in the first round. All they have to do to advance is beat Mexico. Anything can happen in one game.

 

When they get to the second all they have to do is beat Japan and Korea. Japan is the weaker of the two teams and should be very beatable as they don't have much pitching. Once again it comes down to one game. Beat Korea and they're in the semis.

 

I think they can do that.

I think Mexico beats Canada is the first round. I think they stand the best shot at upsetting the US in the first round as well.

 

Can't agree about Japan being a weaker side than Korea. Why do you think Japan doesn't have much pitching? Is there something in the Texas water?

 

I think texascub's second round picks are spot on.

[LoneStarCubFan]

You really think Canada will do that well?

 

They'll beat South Africa in the first round. All they have to do to advance is beat Mexico. Anything can happen in one game.

 

When they get to the second all they have to do is beat Japan and Korea. Japan is the weaker of the two teams and should be very beatable as they don't have much pitching. Once again it comes down to one game. Beat Korea and they're in the semis.

 

I think they can do that.

I think Mexico beats Canada is the first round. I think they stand the best shot at upsetting the US in the first round as well.

 

Can't agree about Japan being a weaker side than Korea. Why do you think Japan doesn't have much pitching? Is there something in the Texas water?

 

I think texascub's second round picks are spot on.

 

 

Well, Japan couldn't beat Korea in a one game shot. Canada wins the right game in each round and they'll be in the semis.

[1908]

You really think Canada will do that well?

 

They'll beat South Africa in the first round. All they have to do to advance is beat Mexico. Anything can happen in one game.

 

When they get to the second all they have to do is beat Japan and Korea. Japan is the weaker of the two teams and should be very beatable as they don't have much pitching. Once again it comes down to one game. Beat Korea and they're in the semis.

 

I think they can do that.

I think Mexico beats Canada is the first round. I think they stand the best shot at upsetting the US in the first round as well.

 

Can't agree about Japan being a weaker side than Korea. Why do you think Japan doesn't have much pitching? Is there something in the Texas water?

 

I think texascub's second round picks are spot on.

 

 

Well, Japan couldn't beat Korea in a one game shot. Canada wins the right game in each round and they'll be in the semis.

That's why Japan has poor pitching? They allowed three runs to Korea? You said yourself that anything can happen in one game.

 

Winning the "right game in each round" is true of any team in the tournament, and Mexico's changes at doing so are better than Canada's.