From the desk of: PLANET BASEBALL
ROUND ONE
2017
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
ROUND ONE
POOL - A
Advance:
- Israel (3-0)
- Netherlands (2-1)
Eliminated:
- South Korea (1-2)
- Chinese Taipei (0-3)
Israel stuns the world; easily the top story of Round One. Netherlands baseball is no longer a secret; they can hit with the best of 'em. South Korea is in a state of shock; once considered a perennial lock for Round Two. Chinese Paipei played much better than their record indicates.
POOL - B
Advance:
- Japan (3-0)
- Cuba (2-1)
Eliminated:
- Australia (1-2)
- China (0-3)
No surprises here. Feature game no doubt was the rematch between Japan and Cuba. Team Japan enters the WBC with a completely revamped roster. Cuba not looking as sharp as in previous Classics. Australia displayed unexpected power, and came damn close to pulling off an upset against Cuba.
POOL - C
Advance:
- Dominican R. (3-0)
- United States (2-1)
Eliminated:
- Colombia (1-2)
- Canada (0-3)
Poor showing for Canada; they'll be forced to re-qualify. Colombia was another major surpise of Round One. They gave major headaches to every team they faced. USA needed extra innings against Colombia, and are somewhat lucky to have advanced. Dominican Republic line-up is doing exactly what was predicted of them.
POOL - DAdvance:
- Puerto Rico (3-0)
- Venezuela (1-2)*
Eliminated:
- Italy (1-2)
- Mexico (1-2)
*tie-breaker - Venezuela def. Italy
Venezuela becomes the most dangerous team of the tourney if only because they just barely survived the first round thanks to tie-breakers. Their line-up is an all-star team unto itself, but have not wielded their big sticks yet. That's what makes them dangerous; they're lick a ticking time bomb. Puerto Rico is smooth and balanced, and are right where they should be. They are dealing with very high expectations. Mexico bowing out was a surprise, as well as a disappointment. Italy was the most resilient and tenacious team of Round One. They could very easily be in Round Two over Venezuela, but they just came up one break short.
ROUND TWO
POOL - E
Venezuela becomes the most dangerous team of the tourney if only because they just barely survived the first round thanks to tie-breakers. Their line-up is an all-star team unto itself, but have not wielded their big sticks yet. That's what makes them dangerous; they're lick a ticking time bomb. Puerto Rico is smooth and balanced, and are right where they should be. They are dealing with very high expectations. Mexico bowing out was a surprise, as well as a disappointment. Italy was the most resilient and tenacious team of Round One. They could very easily be in Round Two over Venezuela, but they just came up one break short.
ROUND TWO
POOL - E
- Japan (2-0)
- Netherlands (1-1)
- Israel (1-1)
- Cuba (0-2)
Japan has done all the right things, and remain undefeated. Cuba on the other hand, deserves to be right where they are. They haven't been sharp to begin with, and played a particularly sloppy rematch game against Japan. Errors no doubt cost them a victory. Look out for Netherlands! They take on Cuba next in a game with Trump-like "huge" implications.
POOL - F
- Dominican Republic
- United States
- Puerto Rico
- Venezuela
Underway in San Diego, California.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Say what you feel. The worse comment you can make is the one you do not make.