World Baseball Classic - 2017

[jerichoholicninja]

I think my favorite part of the WBC is when guys come out of retirement to play for their country because they have no one better. Ryan Dempster and current Brewer scout Pete Orr playing for Canada for example. I think my least favorite part is when teams have "illegitimate" rosters like Italy and Israel where most of the team has never even set foot in the country they represent. I'm pretty sure if your last name ends in a vowel you're eligible to play for Italy.

[young guns]

Are mlb network and mlb.tv the only way to watch games? I have neither and am hoping to catch some of the games.

How is your Spanish?

Nonexistant. Though i would have watched it if i got the channel. Guess mlb doesnt much care about people being able to view their product,

[MVP2110]

It was a great ending to the USA game last night. although I question using Archer last night instead of tonight. Although that could be a long term play in thinking that if we move on we will most likely face them in the second pool and could want to save for Archer for that. but that requires us to move on first.

[DocLuna7]

I think my favorite part of the WBC is when guys come out of retirement to play for their country because they have no one better. Ryan Dempster and current Brewer scout Pete Orr playing for Canada for example. I think my least favorite part is when teams have "illegitimate" rosters like Italy and Israel where most of the team has never even set foot in the country they represent. I'm pretty sure if your last name ends in a vowel you're eligible to play for Italy.

 

I totally agree with this sentiment and think it is an issue that really needs to be addressed by the WBC going forward. I can maybe see having guys who were born in that country but now citizens of a different country playing for a team (In years past this would include guys like David Ortiz, Robinson Cano, Pedro Martinez playing for the Dominican Republic even though they had all become American citizens) but the "ethnicity" rule seems bogus to me. Mexico's team is highlighted by Americans: Adrian Gonzalez and Sergio Romo. Canada's team has American Freddie Freeman and is managed by American Ernie Whitt. Italy and Israel are majority American teams with guys who happen to have Italian great grandparents or who are Jewish. I guess Puerto Rico is a unique case as it's not a country but isn't a state either but even there all those guys are US citizens. Doesn't seem truly international until they get these issues resolved and, like you pointed out, have guys representing countries' that they have at least visited a time or two.

[owbc]

I think my favorite part of the WBC is when guys come out of retirement to play for their country because they have no one better. Ryan Dempster and current Brewer scout Pete Orr playing for Canada for example. I think my least favorite part is when teams have "illegitimate" rosters like Italy and Israel where most of the team has never even set foot in the country they represent. I'm pretty sure if your last name ends in a vowel you're eligible to play for Italy.

 

I'm ok with the rosters because the purpose of the WBC is to grow the game. Plus it makes the tournament more fun to have some balanced competition.

[AdvantageSchneider]

Don't care and never will. I tihnk I saw Bruce Chen pitching for China in loafers. It's a joke. Just hoepe no Brewers get hurt in this stupid thing.

[Ennder]

So far it has been the most compelling baseball we are likely to see until at least August. Games have been fantastic and it has been a playoff type atmosphere. I just wish the pitchers were in a bit better spot for readiness. Not much you can do about it.

[brewerfan82]

I agree, it's been really fun to watch and I love the energy in March.

[ZBTMP]

How is your Spanish?

Nonexistant. Though i would have watched it if i got the channel. Guess mlb doesnt much care about people being able to view their product,

 

Did you try the WatchESPN app if you have a smart TV or Roku or stream the on your computer? The spanish broadcasts are available to me on there.

[jjgott]

Are mlb network and mlb.tv the only way to watch games? I have neither and am hoping to catch some of the games.

How is your Spanish?

Nonexistant. Though i would have watched it if i got the channel. Guess mlb doesnt much care about people being able to view their product,

 

They probably want people to subscribe to either MLB Network on MLB.tv.

[brewerfan82]

Another good game going on in Tokyo right now: 6 - 6 between Japan and the Netherlands going into the 11th where each team will begin their innings with runners on 1st and 2nd (first time this format will be instituted in WBC history). I was hesitant when talks of something like this happening in MLB were going on, but I think it could be great for this, where you're avoiding overworking players, and exhibitions like the All-Star game.

[Eye Black]

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to watch the Puerto Rico game last night, but it appears starter Jorge Lopez was pretty good. He went 4.1 innings pitched throwing a total of 59 pitches, 40 of which were for strikes. He gave up 2 hits and 1 run while walking 2 and striking out 5.

 

Here is a very short VIDEO of the final pitch of each of Jorge's five strikeouts, four of which were swinging strikes.

[MVP2110]

Im fine with the rosters being the way they are but I wish coaches had to be of that nations descent as well. Like Dave Bush being a coach for China makes no sense.

[Ennder]

I was looking at the tie breakers and they lead to some odd scenarios. If the DR beats Columbia and we win we are obviously in. But if we lose and the tie breakers go into effect we have to lose by at least 2 to go to the next tie breaker. So if that game goes into the 9th with Canada up by 1 the best thing the USA team could do is just stand there and get struck out 3 times. Since tying the game could lead to a bigger than 1 run loss.

 

If the US had happened to be the home team and it was 2 to 1 in the 9th once a couple guys got on the best thing the US could do is just keep walking batters until they lose by 1.

 

Not sure I care for that.

[brewerfan82]

Nice start by Wily Peralta for the Dominicans today: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 6 Ks

[Ennder]

This game is getting tough to watch. If Columbia wins the game 4 to 3 which is a real possibility, the US is eliminated from contention as I believe the DR had a couple of unearned runs so they win the secondary tie breaker with 3 teams being 2-1. We need the DR to score a run or Columbia to win by 2 or the DR to hold on and win of course.

 

Edit: Ahh I was wrong about the tie breaker rules. If Columbia wins this game the US and DR would have to play a game to see who is in. I figured the top 2 best runs allowed would pass on, not just the top 1. So if Columbia wins we have to beat Canada and then beat the DR. If the DR wins we just have to beat Canada. If DR wins and we lose to Canada I believe we lose the tie breaker and Columbia moves on.

[young guns]

DR has scored 5 in the 11th now. So looks like we should just need to win assuming they can hold the lead.

[Eye Black]

In the D.R.'s extra inning win over Colombia, starting pitcher Wily Peralta went 4.0 innings (59 pitches/40 strikes) allowing 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, and striking out 6.

 

Offensively Jonathan Villar was 1-for-4 with a single, a walk, and 2 runs scored.

 

Former Brewers SS Jean Segura had 3 hits from the leadoff spot including 2 doubles.

 

If you haven't seen the highlight of Jose Bautista saving the game for the D.R. with a throw to home plate in the bottom of the 9th inning, check it out (VIDEO).

[kalle8]

I think my favorite part of the WBC is when guys come out of retirement to play for their country because they have no one better. Ryan Dempster and current Brewer scout Pete Orr playing for Canada for example. I think my least favorite part is when teams have "illegitimate" rosters like Italy and Israel where most of the team has never even set foot in the country they represent. I'm pretty sure if your last name ends in a vowel you're eligible to play for Italy.

 

me too. I really don't think Italy in the WBC is a true italian team with a italian spirit (whatever it may mean...)

 

 

btw, it seems "italy" will play today vs Venezuela in a playoff (Mexico is gone for technicalities)

loser go home and winner plays USA in the next round.

 

(and, for those who were happy to read my previous post, thanks, I am here almost every dayonly not writing much)

[JohnBriggs12]

"I really don't think Italy in the WBC is a true Italian team..."

 

Well neither is The Netherlands or Isreal. The Netherlands roster is full of guys from Dutch colonies in the Lesser Antillies. That's a long way from Amsterdam. By that standard the entire Puerto Rican team should be playing for the U.S. At least Puerto Rico is close to the U.S.

[jerichoholicninja]

"I really don't think Italy in the WBC is a true Italian team..."

 

Well neither is The Netherlands or Isreal. The Netherlands roster is full of guys from Dutch colonies in the Lesser Antillies. That's a long way from Amsterdam. By that standard the entire Puerto Rican team should be playing for the U.S. At least Puerto Rico is close to the U.S.

 

I was actually going to post that too. If the Netherlands is able to field pretty much a whole team from their Caribbean islands then all the Puerto Ricans should be playing for the US.

[DocLuna7]

"I really don't think Italy in the WBC is a true Italian team..."

 

Well neither is The Netherlands or Isreal. The Netherlands roster is full of guys from Dutch colonies in the Lesser Antillies. That's a long way from Amsterdam. By that standard the entire Puerto Rican team should be playing for the U.S. At least Puerto Rico is close to the U.S.

 

I was actually going to post that too. If the Netherlands is able to field pretty much a whole team from their Caribbean islands then all the Puerto Ricans should be playing for the US.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with these sentiments. Heck, even just having guys born in the US would be a nice start for Team USA. Looking at you Manny Machado and Adrian Gonzalez.

[ZBTMP]

Anyone know if Lopez or Peralta are scheduled to start in Round 2?

[MVP2110]

Peralta is back with the Brewers now. Not sure about Lopez

[Eye Black]

I updated the original post to include the San Diego 2nd Round schedule as well. The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are opening things at Petco Park right now.