World Baseball Classic starts this week. Predictions? - EDIT for ROUND 2

EDIT: Round 2 starts tomorrow. Just like before, it's double elimination. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals.

Pool 1 - Korea, Japan, Cuba, Mexico
Pool 2 - Venezuela, USA, Puerto Rico, Netherlands

My picks, along with their performance so far:
11 - Cuba -.394 AVG, 3.24 ERA
12 - Japan - .258 AVG, 1.08ERA
21 - Venezuela - .347 AVG, 4.75 ERA
22 - Puerto Rico - .316 AVG, 0.33 ERA

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First game of the tournament is Thursday. Time to make some predictions. Here are the opening round pools. Two teams from each pool will advance after double elimination play.

Pool A - China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa
Pool C - Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela
Pool D - Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico

My picks for winners and runner-ups from each pool:
A1 - Korea
A2 - Japan
B1 - Cuba
B2 - Mexico
C1 - Venezuela
C2 - USA
D1 - Dominican
D2 - Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico FTW!!! I believe PR has an outside chance at winning the tournament but we first have to get past the Dominican Republic which is not unthinkable for two reason: 1) We are good enough. 2) We are playing at home. I will go to the game on Tuesday and maybe to the final game if it is between PR and Rep. Dom.

First game of the tournament is Thursday. Time to make some predictions. Here are the opening round pools. Two teams from each pool will advance after double elimination play.

Pool A - China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan
Pool B - Australia, Cuba, Mexico, South Africa
Pool C - Canada, Italy, USA, Venezuela
Pool D - Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico

My picks for winners and runner-ups from each pool:
A1 - Korea
A2 - Japan
B1 - Cuba
B2 - Mexico
C1 - Venezuela
C2 - USA
D1 - Dominican
D2 - Puerto Rico

Oleg_Huzwog

I can agree with your predictions.

But, I would like to add another prediction.

JERM's prediction: Some guy who used to weigh 180 lbs as a rookie,but now weighs 230 lbs, hits a 500 ft homerun over the left field wall, and its all thanx to the 'JUICE' :P

DR all the way!

I can see Japan repeating if just because their pitching will probably confuse many hitters. I'm wondering if Japan will have Yu Darvish on the team.

I'm pulling for Mexico (no duh) but it's gonna be hard to win their pool with Cuba being there, but they should not have a problem being the runner-up. I just hope they eliminated USA again like they did in 06 :D

I can see Japan repeating if just because their pitching will probably confuse many hitters. I'm wondering if Japan will have Yu Darvish on the team.

Buck_Hotep

Darvish is scheduled to pitch in the opener.

Darvish is scheduled to pitch in the opener.

Oleg_Huzwog

If Darvish pitches as advertised I'm sure there will be the big clubs ready to pay his team's fee to just have the chance to sign him. And throw enough cash his way he'll forget that he promised Japanese fans he'll stay in the Japanese pro leagues til he has 200 wins.

If Darvish pitches as advertised I'm sure there will be the big clubs ready to pay his team's fee to just have the chance to sign him. And throw enough cash his way he'll forget that he promised Japanese fans he'll stay in the Japanese pro leagues til he has 200 wins.

Buck_Hotep

Well, Darvish is off to a good start at establishing a steep price for his services. He needed only 46 pitches to breeze through 4 no-hit innings against China.

WOW, Netherlands over Dom. Rep. in an upset. 3-2Master_Live

it doesn't show much but I think China may be a team to keep an eye on the rest of the series and 3 years from now.

it was amazing to see the netherlands beat dominician republican today, i think everyone is under estimating these ball players from other countries, they have alot to prove. they want to make a name for themselves and the whole baseball world is watching. I like Korea, Japan, and Netherlands.....underdogs kinda? i dunno just the feeling i get

Did anyone else chuckle at how hostile the crowd was in the U.S.-Canada game?

it doesn't show much but I think China may be a team to keep an eye on the rest of the series and 3 years from now.

Buck_Hotep

Pool A has finished. Korea won, and Japan is runner-up.

i cant help but think the commentators that do the US games are in LOVE with youkilis, pedroia, jeter, and dunn

its literally all they talk about

There have been some great games so far espiclly that one this past morning Korea vs. Japan. But yeah so far i'd predict the DR or the US, DR did lose but let's face it baseball is the most unpredictable sport even the worst teams usually win atleast 60

There have been some great games so far espiclly that one this past morning Korea vs. Japan. But yeah so far i'd predict the DR or the US, DR did lose but let's face it baseball is the most unpredictable sport even the worst teams usually win atleast 60

Boston_Boyy

[QUOTE="Boston_Boyy"]

There have been some great games so far espiclly that one this past morning Korea vs. Japan. But yeah so far i'd predict the DR or the US, DR did lose but let's face it baseball is the most unpredictable sport even the worst teams usually win atleast 60

Yagr_Zero

I just came back from tonight's game, WOW, what a game. I was rooting for the Netherlands in a sea of Dominican flags. What an upset. Master_Live

[QUOTE="Master_Live"]I just came back from tonight's game, WOW, what a game. I was rooting for the Netherlands in a sea of Dominican flags. What an upset. Yagr_Zero

Netherlands beating the Dominican = Impossible

Netherlands beating the Dominican twice = ???

Holland is going to win it all!!! :O

BTW, is there a place where I can view the groups standings, I can't seem to find it.

Holland is going to win it all!!! :O

BTW, is there a place where I can view the groups standings, I can't seem to find it.

UssjTrunks

http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/baseball/wbbc/standings

Opening post edited for Round 2.