World Baseball Classic

[McKain]

People tend to assume "un-American" before they assume anything else. It's happened to me numerous times, so I've grown acclimated to having to point out where people are wrong in making assumptions about my loyalties and convictions.

I just like to clear up the misconception that I have no loyalty to "my" country, when people don't realize quite what "my" country is; thats all. You might not have meant it that way, and if so, I apologize, but you seemed to be saying "nyjunc is a great American!" and "ATLien and McKain are dirty anti-American ****ers!"

[Kingdom]

It's not even about that. It's about Americans being so arrogant that they can't believe another country could come close to competing with them.

I think the DR, even without ARod, would bury the US in baseball.

[Saber]

It wouldn't. The US can field two teams better than any other nation.

[ATLien]

The US could not field 2 teams better than DR, but they could field one. Mainly because of their pitching.

[Saber]

You really don't want to go through all the players, do you?

[Hmark6]

You might not have meant it that way, and if so, I apologize, but you seemed to be saying "nyjunc is a great American!" and "ATLien and McKain are dirty anti-American ****ers!"

You are completely wrong in your assumption. What I meant was deeper than what you read on the surface. Point is: each person values things differently and we're all free to do so.

Apology accepted.

[DirtyKash]

Watch out for Canada in this one:

1B- Justin Morneau
3B- Corey Koskie
OF- Larry Walker
OF- Matt Stairs
OF- Jason Bay

SP- Erik Bedard
SP- Rich Harden
SP- Ryan Dempster
SP- Jeff Francis

RP- Rheal Cormier
RP- Paul Quantrill
RP- Jesse Crain
RP- Eric Gagne

With that kind of pitching, we can't possibly lose.

[Halladay_is_God]

I love the way Canada's pitching look like, hopefully Adam Loewen also get added too
also for Canada, 2B Pete Orr (Braves), C Pete Laforest (D-Rays' system in AAA)

[DirtyKash]

Well, with the World Baseball Classic starting tonight with Pool A action, I think it's time for me to give my predictions.


Pool A
Japan wins the pool, Korea also moves on.
Chinese Taipei and China eliminated

Pool B
USA wins the pool, Canada also moves on.
Mexico and South Africa eliminated.

Pool C
Puerto Rico wins the pool, Cuba also moves on.
Netherlands and Panama eliminated.

Pool D
Dominican Republic wins the pool, Venezuela also moves on.
Australia and Italy eliminated


Round 2 first pool
USA wins the pool, Japan also moves on.
Canada and Korea eliminated.

Round 2 second pool
Dominican Republic wins the pool, Puerto Rico also moves on.
Cuba and Venezuela eliminated.


Semis
USA defeats Japan
Dominican Republic defeats Puerto Rico


Finals
Dominican Republic defeats USA

[Foster]

I like those calls.

And I hope Canada does pick up a couple of wins, and makes it on to the second phase. We are an up and coming baseball nation, turning out some great young talent.

[DirtyKash]

Alright baby! Let's get the show on the road. Here are the lineups for tonight's game:

Korea:

Lee BK, LF
Lee JB, CF
Lee SY, 1B
Kim D, 3B
Choi HS, DH
Hong, C
Lee JY, RF
Park J, SS
Kim JK, 2B

Chinese Taipei:

Chen Y, 3B
Chang CM, RF
Lin CS, 1B
Lin WB, LF
Chang TS, DH
Hseih, CF
Hu, SS
Yeh, C
Yang S, 2B

Pitchers

Korea:
Seo Jae Weong

Chinese Taipei:
Lin En-Yu

[DirtyKash]

And before anyone asks ... no, Lee Carlos and Lee Derrek don't play for Korea.

[DirtyKash]

Top 2nd:
- Hee-Seop Choi with a double to centerfield.
- Hong lines into a double play 6-4... Choi totally caught off guard.
- Lee JY strikes out swinging to end the top of the inning.

Still 0-0.

[Dry1313]

Pool A
Japan wins the pool, Korea also moves on.
Chinese Taipei and China eliminated

Pool B
USA wins the pool, Canada also moves on.
Mexico and South Africa eliminated.

Pool C
Puerto Rico wins the pool, Panama also moves on.
Netherlands and Cuba eliminated.

Pool D
Dominican Republic wins the pool, Venezuela also moves on.
Australia and Italy eliminated


Round 2 first pool
USA wins the pool, Canada also moves on.
Japan and Korea eliminated.

Round 2 second pool
Dominican Republic wins the pool, Puerto Rico also moves on.
Panama and Venezuela eliminated.


Semis
USA defeats Canada
Puerto Rico defeats Dominican Republic


Finals
USA defeats Puerto Rico


very similar to DK, but I think DR will be upset.

[DirtyKash]

Bottom 2nd:

- Lin WC flies out to Lee JY.
- 4 straight softie pitches by Jae Seo down the freaking middle of the plate and Taipei dude only managed to weakly foul 'em off ... 7th pitch of the at-bat and he (Chang) lines it into LF for a single to break up the perfect game. Another pitch by Seo down the middle of the plate. Sad.
- Hsieh walks on 5 pitches - two low, one away, and one in the dirt. Completely pitched around him.
- Hu ends the inning by grounding out to first base. Who grounds out? Hu.