Post by New Orleans GM on Mar 1, 2013 22:49:31 GMT -6
Every Friday I will give my unsolicited opinion about the some upcoming event or young players future. With the World Baseball Classic starting in a few minutes here's some of my predictions and thoughts.
Pool A- Fukuoka Japan
Brazil
China
Cuba
Japan
This pool I'm fairly confident will have both Japan and Cuba advancing. I think Japan ultimately wins the pool.
Pool B- Taichung Taipei
Australia
Chinese Taipei
Netherlands
Korea
Netherlands was the big surprise of the 2009 tourney beating the Dominican Republic. I think they advance again but Korea wins the pool.
Pool C- San Juan Puerto Rico
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico
Spain
Venezuela
This is probably the toughest pool. In the end I think the home field advantage won't matter with the Dominican Republic advancing and Venezuela winning the pool.
Pool D- Phoenix Arizona
Canada
Italy
Mexico
United States
It wouldn't surprise me if Canada wound up in the second round but I think the U.S. and Mexico advance with Mexico winning the pool.
Round 2- also a pool format
Tokyo
Japan
Cuba
Korea
Netherlands
Japan and Korea are really the top of the class when it comes to international competition.
Miami
Venezuela
United States
Dominican Republic
Mexico
The Dominicans will be looking to prove 2009's performance was a fluke, and the U.S. will advance because...'Murica.
Championship Round- San Francisco
Japan vs Dominican Republic- Japan 4-1 advances
Korea vs United States- U.S. 7-3 advances
Championship Game
Japan vs United States
I really think the U.S. wants to win the WBC but most of the players will be starting to think about the upcoming season more than the exhibition tourney. If you would ask the players if the wanted to win the WBC they would say yes, but I doubt any of them would trade it for a World Series ring. I think in the end it just means more to the Japanese.
Winner- Japan
WBC MVP- Masahiro Tanaka SP Japan
Player To Watch- Xander Bogaerts 3B Netherlands
Pool A- Fukuoka Japan
Brazil
China
Cuba
Japan
This pool I'm fairly confident will have both Japan and Cuba advancing. I think Japan ultimately wins the pool.
Pool B- Taichung Taipei
Australia
Chinese Taipei
Netherlands
Korea
Netherlands was the big surprise of the 2009 tourney beating the Dominican Republic. I think they advance again but Korea wins the pool.
Pool C- San Juan Puerto Rico
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico
Spain
Venezuela
This is probably the toughest pool. In the end I think the home field advantage won't matter with the Dominican Republic advancing and Venezuela winning the pool.
Pool D- Phoenix Arizona
Canada
Italy
Mexico
United States
It wouldn't surprise me if Canada wound up in the second round but I think the U.S. and Mexico advance with Mexico winning the pool.
Round 2- also a pool format
Tokyo
Japan
Cuba
Korea
Netherlands
Japan and Korea are really the top of the class when it comes to international competition.
Miami
Venezuela
United States
Dominican Republic
Mexico
The Dominicans will be looking to prove 2009's performance was a fluke, and the U.S. will advance because...'Murica.
Championship Round- San Francisco
Japan vs Dominican Republic- Japan 4-1 advances
Korea vs United States- U.S. 7-3 advances
Championship Game
Japan vs United States
I really think the U.S. wants to win the WBC but most of the players will be starting to think about the upcoming season more than the exhibition tourney. If you would ask the players if the wanted to win the WBC they would say yes, but I doubt any of them would trade it for a World Series ring. I think in the end it just means more to the Japanese.
Winner- Japan
WBC MVP- Masahiro Tanaka SP Japan
Player To Watch- Xander Bogaerts 3B Netherlands