The (Last?) World Baseball Classic Game Thread

[Sammy Sofa]

I didn't realize we had just been using the spring training thread for WBC talk. It's probably the final one, so let's send it out with its own thread, dammit. Here's that Baez clip one more time:

 

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[Ding Dong Johnson]

Puerto Rico pre-game

http://cdn2.crushable.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Julianne-Hough-hairspraying-herself-GIF.gif

[OleMissCub]

Javy really has the most swag of any baseball player in history. And he's OURS.

[Stu]

I LOVE this tournament and am rooting hard for PR. This means so much to Puerto Rico, the DR, etc. They had Puerto Ricans fill the stadium in Scottsdale for a friendly against the Giants before this started. And that infield of Lindor, Correa and Javy, oh my.....

[David]

Javy really has the most swag of any baseball player in history. And he's OURS.

 

i so badly want him to figure out what he has left to figure out for his talent to fully bear out at the plate because a player like that with that much swag would be absurdly fun to root for

[mul21]

Breaking: Adrian Gonzalez is still mad and no fun.

 

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[David]

he's prob bitter about what happened with mexico

 

but still a crybaby

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I remember when I used to like him. vaguely

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Yeah, Mexico got a bit of a raw deal, but on the other hand, maybe don't give up 10 runs per game and things might work out better.

[ConstableRabbit]

His voice is also way too high pitched for how big he is, which adds to the annoying factor.

 

"You got safe? Safe, right? Cmon, don't screw this up New York!"

[bcl412]

I'd like it to not be the last. International sporting events are fun but not enough people seem to care at all.

[Agony and Ivy]

Yeah, Mexico got a bit of a raw deal, but on the other hand, maybe don't give up 10 runs per game and things might work out better.

 

Only because it was explained or understood incorrectly. Innings have always been based on outs and not the simple fact baseball happened, it's why you can have an ERA of infinity.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Yeah, Mexico got a bit of a raw deal, but on the other hand, maybe don't give up 10 runs per game and things might work out better.

 

Only because it was explained or understood incorrectly. Innings have always been based on outs and not the simple fact baseball happened, it's why you can have an ERA of infinity.

 

I'm talking more about using RA/9 as a first tiebreaker, instead of something more sensible like run differential(which Mexico would have won v. Venezuela/Italy). I wasn't aware if people didn't realize/calculate the tiebreaker properly.

[Agony and Ivy]

Yeah, Mexico got a bit of a raw deal, but on the other hand, maybe don't give up 10 runs per game and things might work out better.

 

Only because it was explained or understood incorrectly. Innings have always been based on outs and not the simple fact baseball happened, it's why you can have an ERA of infinity.

 

I'm talking more about using RA/9 as a first tiebreaker, instead of something more sensible like run differential(which Mexico would have won v. Venezuela/Italy). I wasn't aware if people didn't realize/calculate the tiebreaker properly.

 

Agreed RD is much better. I think what Gonzalez was mad about was his coaching staff interpreted it one way after being told something by the WBC and it turned out to be wrong.

[NonProfitCow]

Good game so far. 1-0 Venezuela through 4.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Rondon came in for Venezuela in the 8th and promptly gave up a game tying home run to Jones and a single to Yelich.

 

Now is probably a good time to point out there's a nontrivial chance Rondon is completely broken, given his injury, struggles afterward, and the time since his TJS.

 

EDIT: After an Arenado pop up, Hosmer goes deep off Rondon, 4-2 USA

[bcl412]

I feel myself being disapointed Hector is pitching like crap than the US taking the lead

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Hector is still broken

[NotSoSober]

Well, Rondon is still broken. Gave up a solo HR to Adam Jones, now a 2 run HR Eric Hosmer

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Rondon came in for Venezuela in the 8th and promptly gave up a game tying home run to Jones and a single to Yelich.

 

Now is probably a good time to point out there's a nontrivial chance Rondon is completely broken, given his injury, struggles afterward, and the time since his TJS.

 

EDIT: After an Arenado pop up, Hosmer goes deep off Rondon, 4-2 USA

 

Counterpoint: Rondon is notoriously terrible in March you dummy, in 2014 he had an ERA north of 7 and last year he had an ERA north of 12.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Arenado didn't miss a yuge and magnificent dinger by much either. Hector needs to get this out of his system now

[squally1313]

Eh, for the 2017 version of our bullpen, he's our 6th inning guy. Not going to worry too much about it given how 80% of our starters are going to go 6+ regularly. Strop, Edwards, Koji, Monty, Davis....we'll be fine.

[jersey cubs fan]

why are we fretting about spring training results?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

why are we fretting about spring training results?

 

For me it's more that the spring training results are reminding me of what I was very concerned about in September/October. It's part of why I was so gung ho about signing Jansen.

[We Got The Whole 9]

His command horsefeathering sucks right now and the slider is super flat but I think it's a 'feel' thing. The velocity is there but he can't get the ball down. Only a couple sliders he threw had any depth to them. The bombs came on pitches elevated 2 feet above the target. Hopefully he soon rounds into form but I'm not terribly concerned for our team if he doesnt.