WBC Game Thread

[UMFan83]

So USA/Canada winner is in and loser is out. Is the winner of the group in the case of a tie head to head? I'm assuming this is the case which would mean USA would win the group if they win today and Italy would win the group if Canadia wins right?

[Cubswin11]

I haven't ever seen Tallion pitch before today, he looks really good. Not going to be fun having him in the division for the next decade.

[Guest]

I haven't ever seen Tallion pitch before today, he looks really good. Not going to be fun having him in the division for the next decade.

 

If they stay healthy, Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon would be a formidable duo. Thank goodness Mark Appel didn't sign.

[Guest]

World Bunting Classic.

 

So horrible.

[Guest]

USA scores 2 runs despite the Zorbrist bunt attempt.

[Guest]

Also, it's incredibly hard to root for Ryan Braun.

[Sammy Sofa]

So you think the hitters are at an increased injury rate in this, than say regular spring at bats?

 

Probably, unless they're half-assing it.

[Guest]

Hernandez looked pretty bad. Very frustrating that apparently Kimbrell or Affeldt couldn't pitch here. Also find it hilarious you bring in a new pitcher and he immediately throws an intentional walk.

[bukie]

Team USA has the worst 1B in their group. Discuss.

[Guest]

Team USA has the worst 1B in their group. Discuss.

 

Without a doubt. Votto, Rizzo and Gonzalez are all superior to Hosmer. Heck, Teixiera was arguably the worst of the group before he got hurt.

 

And just like that, Hosmer just broke the game open...

[bukie]

USA wins the group, and will face the Dominican Republic/Puerto Rico loser next.

[illiniguy]

Team USA has the worst 1B in their group. Discuss.

 

Without a doubt. Votto, Rizzo and Gonzalez are all superior to Hosmer. Heck, Teixiera was arguably the worst of the group before he got hurt.

 

And just like that, Hosmer just broke the game open...

Debatable about Rizzo. His first year was pretty similar to Hosmer's let's see how he adjusts to the pitchers adjusting to him before we put him above Hosmer. After all HOZ was a top 5 prospect at one point, Rizzo never was.

[bukie]

Second round: USA, Italy, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico. Two advance to semifinals along with Japan and the Netherlands/Cuba winner.

 

USA v Puerto Rico, Italy v Dominican Republic. Double elimination from this point on.

 

EDIT: Apparently the Netherlands beat Cuba again, and advance to the semifinals.

[SABR Gamer]

Team USA has the worst 1B in their group. Discuss.

 

Without a doubt. Votto, Rizzo and Gonzalez are all superior to Hosmer. Heck, Teixiera was arguably the worst of the group before he got hurt.

 

And just like that, Hosmer just broke the game open...

Debatable about Rizzo. His first year was pretty similar to Hosmer's let's see how he adjusts to the pitchers adjusting to him before we put him above Hosmer. After all HOZ was a top 5 prospect at one point, Rizzo never was.

 

In both of their good seasons, Rizzo had a higher WAR than Hosmer in 195 less plate appearances (and a higher wOBA) and then last year Hosmer was worth about the same as Joe Mather (-1.1 WAR for Hosmer).

 

Rizzo is easily better.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Most of the USA roster leaves a lot to be desired.

[ConstableRabbit]

Team USA has the worst 1B in their group. Discuss.

Why was Hosmer prioritized over Rizzo?

[SABR Gamer]

Team USA has the worst 1B in their group. Discuss.

Why was Hosmer prioritized over Rizzo?

 

Rizzo had probably already agreed to play for Italy. Had he not, I am guessing he would be playing 1B for USA right now.

[Careless]

So if the US hadn't beaten Canada, they wouldn't have automatically qualified for the next WBC

[Guest]

So if the US hadn't beaten Canada, they wouldn't have automatically qualified for the next WBC

 

Technically, they haven't set the rules for 2017 qualifying and the thought was they'd change the rules for qualification if the US didn't make it automatically.

[Careless]

And now it seems Italy will beat the DR. huh.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

And now it seems Italy will beat the DR. huh.

Way to go.

[mul21]

Seriously Torre? Bunting with Reyes on 1st, Phillips at the plate and nobody out with a 2-0 lead in the 5th inning? Stupidity at it's finest.

 

And that was an interesting complete whiff and advance by Braun.

[bukie]

Japan beat the Netherlands a second time, so Japan will be in the semifinals against the runner up from the USA-DR-PR-Italy group, and the Netherlands will play the winner of the group. The USA-DR winner is in the semis for sure, and the PR-Italy loser is done.

[ConstableRabbit]

Team USA has the worst 1B in their group. Discuss.

Why was Hosmer prioritized over Rizzo?

 

Rizzo had probably already agreed to play for Italy. Had he not, I am guessing he would be playing 1B for USA right now.

Really? He said that he wanted to play for the US.

[UMFan83]

Wasn't Hosmer just recently placed on the USA squad after Tiexeira's injury?

 

Rizzo had been committed to Italy for months.