2023 World Baseball Classic

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
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Sep 27, 2016
21,753
Pittsburgh, PA
Man I thought the Venezuelans had us, after they mowed down Mookie, Trout and the heart of the lineup. Was definitely prepared to see the good ship USA go down in flames.
 

Max Power

thai good. you like shirt?
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2005
7,877
Boston, MA
These WBC crowds are a lot easier on the eyes than your average baseball fans. I'm disappointed I missed the Venezuela vs Puerto Rico game.
 

AB in DC

OG Football Writing
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Jul 10, 2002
13,616
Springfield, VA
If this result holds, the entire Group of Death (Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican) get shut out of the semifinals. Who'da seen that coming.,
 

koufax32

He'll cry if he wants to...
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Dec 8, 2006
9,092
Duval
I’m not emotionally prepared for this type of stress at this point in the season. Insurance runs, please.
 

AMS25

Member
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Feb 29, 2008
3,121
Holland on the Plains
I missed the first 6 innings... did he pull a Bard, basically? Based on his box score line.... no control, wild pitches, walks, had to be pulled? God, I just want him to succeed.
Yup, he did. My daughter (who has little interest in baseball) was mesmerized by his(woeful) performance. It was a classic Bard melt-down.
 

normstalls

Member
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Mar 15, 2004
4,486
What a fun game. That Turner slam got an audible loud reaction out of me.

I wish US sent better pitchers though
 

normstalls

Member
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Mar 15, 2004
4,486
I’m all for celebrating, but I also enjoy when an obnoxious celebrator completely blows it.
 

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
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Jul 15, 2005
70,713
I wish US sent better pitchers though
I mean, Bard was incredible last year and the US used I think 4 current MLB closers in this game, where VEN had to go to Bracho, not a MLBer, who blew the game with that dreadful pitch to Turner.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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Jan 23, 2009
20,673
Maine
Man I thought the Venezuelans had us, after they mowed down Mookie, Trout and the heart of the lineup. Was definitely prepared to see the good ship USA go down in flames.
The trick is that the whole US lineup is "heart of the lineup". While their pitching depth is in question, the position players turned out. All nine starters last night are top/heart of the order guys normally, and so are the bench bats. I mean, they pinch hit for the guy who hit 46 HR last year with a guy who hit 40.
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,753
Pittsburgh, PA
What a fun game. That Turner slam got an audible loud reaction out of me.

I wish US sent better pitchers though
The bar I was watching it at had the NCAA tournament on the other TV but it was on commercial break, so everyone was watching the decisive moment in the game, and exploded into cheers.

It was fun.
 

LogansDad

Member
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Nov 15, 2006
29,049
Alamogordo
The trick is that the whole US lineup is "heart of the lineup". While their pitching depth is in question, the position players turned out. All nine starters last night are top/heart of the order guys normally, and so are the bench bats. I mean, they pinch hit for the guy who hit 46 HR last year with a guy who hit 40.
While the US starting pitching is what I would calla s light weakness compared to other teams, you are 100% correct about the lineup, and on top of that the bullpen is a major, major strength (last night's Bard meltdown notwithstanding). In a tournament where guys aren't allowed to throw over 65 pitches in an appearance, that can be really important, and I think it has been.