3/12 WBC: Japan (Uehara) vs. USA (Peavy) 3pm CT - ESPN2?

[Laura]

Broadcast Info: This game was originally scheduled to be shown only on ESPN Deportes. Bob's Keeper and Jon reported in the 3/10 WBC Thread that Steve Stone said that ESPN2 may be picking up the game:

 

EDIT: Just looked at ESPN's schedule for tomorrow and it does indeed list the Japan-US game at 3:00 CDT tomorrow for ESPN2. Excellent.

 

So hopefully people can see it there! Check your local listings tomorrow. Otherwise it's available through Deportes, mlbtv and gameday audio.

 

Team Japan Preview

 

[Japan manager Sadaharu] Oh expects a low-scoring game against Team USA, which qualified for Sunday's game with a 17-0 victory over South America. But they are in for a much tougher test in the Japan starting pitcher.

 

Uehara was the winning pitcher in Japan's Classic-opening victory over China, and it was a typical outing in the sense that he had excellent control. He threw 65 pitches in five innings, and 53 of them were strikes.

 

That was par for the course. During the regular season in 2005, Uehara walked just 22 batters in 187 1/3 innings, and his career free-pass numbers (165 walks in 1,229 innings) is remarkable.

 

On the other side, hitters know he's going to be around the plate, and that could be a huge benefit for opposing batters. That wasn't the case, however, in Uehara's start against China, or his five-inning second-round tune-up against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, Ariz., last Wednesday night.

 

The right-hander stymied a Mariners lineup that included four projected Opening Day starters. He surrendered one hit and faced the minimum 15 batters, striking out six, including shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and designated hitter Carl Everett twice each.

 

Team USA Preview

 

"The Jake Peavy situation, that was his second start of the spring," Team USA manager Buck Martinez said on Friday. "He had started for the Padres and already thrown 39 pitches in two innings. This time, I don't know that we're locked in to a certain amount of innings as much as we are watching things develop as we get into the game."

 

In the first round, starters were limited to 65 pitches. Though Peavy threw only 23, while allowing only an infield single and striking out three, he was lifted after the third inning. A succession of six relievers followed and shut down the Mexicans on four hits.

 

In the second round, the pitch limit is extended to 80. And in the parallel universe of Spring Training this year, starters are beginning to stretch out as the days dwindle toward the season openers on April 3. ....

 

"I would hope I could go four or five innings," Peavy said. "I should easily be able to stretch four or five out of 80 pitches. And I hope to do every bit of that. Obviously, if you have a low pitch count you can go a little more. That's the biggest thing for me, watching that pitch count. (The Japanese) put the ball in play. I don't strike out a lot of guys so I hope to get some easy outs."

 

Peavy, who led the National League with a 2.27 ERA in 2004 and 216 strikeouts last season, also has had his own success against the Japanese during the 2004 tour.

[stitchface]

I don't strike out a lot of guys so I hope to get some easy outs."

 

Huh? Seems to me he does strike out a lot of guys!

[Brian]

I think his stuff is indicitive of not striking out guys, but it is so good that he often times does. another example is Carlos Zambrano who is a 'ground ball' pitcher, but often times is so good he Ks people.

[stitchface]

635 ks in 661 innings is a strikeout pitcher. 216 in 203 IP last year.

 

Zambrano for the record has 655 in 733 IP. both strike guys out.

[Omar]

Did the World Baseball Classic ever have any issues with the World Boxing Council for similer initials? I remember when I was a wrestling fan, they had to change the name from WWF to WWE because World Wildlife Fund had the same initials.

[BCVM22]

Did the World Baseball Classic ever have any issues with the World Boxing Council for similer initials? I remember when I was a wrestling fan, they had to change the name from WWF to WWE because World Wildlife Fund had the same initials.

 

I wouldn't think so. The World Baseball Classic is an event, operated by Major League Baseball. The World Boxing Council is a governing body/organization. Both the World Wildlife Fund and WWE are organizations, which might explain the name conflict.

[SouthSideRyan]

Did the World Baseball Classic ever have any issues with the World Boxing Council for similer initials? I remember when I was a wrestling fan, they had to change the name from WWF to WWE because World Wildlife Fund had the same initials.

 

The WWF/WWE problem was that they had entered a contract with each other on when the initials could be used. The wrestling organization flagrantly violated the contract for years, and was finally called on it by the World Wildlife Fund. The World Baseball Classic doesn't really seem to be referred to as the WBC by anyone besides people typing shorthand on the internet.

[Laura]

I don't strike out a lot of guys so I hope to get some easy outs."

 

Huh? Seems to me he does strike out a lot of guys!

:-$

 

It's the U.S. Sneak Attack. =;

[Derwood]

[Japan manager Sadaharu] Oh expects a low-scoring game against Team USA, which qualified for Sunday's game with a 17-0 victory over South America.

 

When did they get a team?

[Balsa]

Tough decision, but I'll be watching this over the Cubs spring training game.

[Roast]

Tough decision, but I'll be watching this over the Cubs spring training game.

 

I dont have MLB.TV....That makes an easy decision for me.

[otis89]

How woud one watch today's Cubs game? As far as I know, it's only on radio.

[Roast]

How woud one watch today's Cubs game? As far as I know, it's only on radio.

 

MLB.TV

[Jon]

In other WBC news, Cuba took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd against Johan and Venezuela. It looks like Vizquel tried to get the runner going from second to third on an 0-2, 2 out groundball to short, but it wasn't in time. The next batter followed with an RBI single. Santana is at 31 pitches after 2 innings of work.

[Soul]

My TV schedule says ESPN2 is airing Tennis in this time slot. Did they change up or something?

[Jon]

My TV schedule says ESPN2 is airing Tennis in this time slot. Did they change up or something?

I believe they changed it, although this description on ESPN's website for ESPN2 isn't very definitive:

 

ESPN2's Telecast of The World Baseball Classic Is presented by Taco Bell: Andre Agassi vs. Paul Goldstein

 

Venezuela had the bases loaded with nobody out and failed to score. 1-0 Cuba after 5. Cuba's starting pitcher, Marti, did not give up a hit in his 4 innings of work, although he did walk 3. Santana gave up 1 run on just 2 hits over his 5 innings of work. He walked none and struck out 5.

[Soul]

My TV schedule says ESPN2 is airing Tennis in this time slot. Did they change up or something?

I believe they changed it, although this description on ESPN's website for ESPN2 isn't very definitive:

 

ESPN2's Telecast of The World Baseball Classic Is presented by Taco Bell: Andre Agassi vs. Paul Goldstein

 

:lol:

[Jon]

Giovanni Carrara has given up 5 in the 6th inning, including 2 HRs, as Cuba takes a 6-0 lead in the 6th. This would certainly be a big blow to Venezuela's chances.

[Jon]

Lee is starting at first and batting 6th today.

[Jehrico]

Giovanni Carrara has given up 5 in the 6th inning, including 2 HRs, as Cuba takes a 6-0 lead in the 6th. This would certainly be a big blow to Venezuela's chances.

 

Cuba must be fired up after getting embarrassed by PR.

[stitchface]

I didn't think Ichiro was playing - did he change his mind?

[Jon]

Giovanni Carrara has given up 5 in the 6th inning, including 2 HRs, as Cuba takes a 6-0 lead in the 6th. This would certainly be a big blow to Venezuela's chances.

 

Cuba must be fired up after getting embarrassed by PR.

7-2 after 8 now. They'll get that rematch tomorrow. If Venezuela doesn't beat Puerto Rico tomorrow, though, their rematch with the DR won't mean as much to them.

[Omar]

My TV schedule says ESPN2 is airing Tennis in this time slot. Did they change up or something?

I believe they changed it, although this description on ESPN's website for ESPN2 isn't very definitive:

 

ESPN2's Telecast of The World Baseball Classic Is presented by Taco Bell: Andre Agassi vs. Paul Goldstein

 

:lol:

 

I always wondered how baseball would be with tennis rackets.

[Omar]

Yeah... They will show the WBC.

[Outshined_One]

We're getting it in Chicago!