8-game slate! Saturday lineup a Classic fan’s dream
Because of the time zone points that include internet hosting an occasion in a number of hemispheres, the World Baseball Classic, to date, has had a staggered schedule. Pools A and B, in Taichung and Tokyo, respectively, have already had every of its groups play not less than two video games, whereas Pools C and D, in Phoenix and Miami, haven’t begun but. One of the beauties of this event is that video games can happen everywhere in the world however nonetheless be in the identical bracket. But we haven’t had a full day of Classic insanity simply but.
That modifications on Saturday.
The Czech Republic and Japan opened Saturday’s play from the Tokyo Dome and the ultimate one will begin at 11 p.m. ET. If you need — and it is best to! — you possibly can watch the World Baseball Classic all morning, all afternoon and all evening.
Having high-stakes baseball in early March is thrilling sufficient. But every of those video games has a riveting storyline of its personal, whether or not you’re a WBC fan, an MLB fan or, presumably, each. Here’s one factor to observe for in every recreation.
This may be the sport of the day, proper off the bat. Japan has been the most effective staff within the event to date and certain appears just like the powerhouse of Pools A and B. Shohei Ohtani is the star, after all, however everyone on this staff is hitting, together with Lars Nootbaar, who has the entire Japanese staff grinding the pepper like he did with the Cardinals final yr. But on this recreation, Japan is taking part in the WBC’s sweethearts, the Czech Republic, a staff stuffed with firefighters and cops and highschool lecturers that received its Classic opener in probably the most dramatic vogue. With Korea’s 0-2 begin, the door has been cracked for the Czech staff to sneak into the subsequent spherical. A win over Japan, nevertheless inconceivable it may be, may unofficially clinch that. This recreation is precisely what this occasion is all about.
The Netherlands was in all probability the favourite in Pool A heading into the event, and it couldn’t have requested for a greater begin, with tight wins over Cuba and Panama. A win over Chinese Taipei would basically advance the Dutch to the subsequent spherical. Their success has not come from their lineup, however from their pitching; they’ve given up solely three runs in two video games. Much of that has come from their splendid protection, which has too many MLB-top-quality infielders to even match on the sphere. Chinese Taipei can remedy that drawback by hitting the ball over the wall; their 4 homers to date are the most within the event.
Nicaragua vs. Puerto Rico
Noon ET, FS2
Colombia vs. Mexico
2:30 p.m. ET, FOX
You would suppose Mexico — at the moment ranked No. 5 within the WBSC rankings — would have a wealthy historical past within the Classic, however the nation has by no means completed larger than sixth. If the Mexicans want to get out of this pool, it is a large recreation for them, with the United States and Canada looming. They’ve received the correct pitcher on the mound — staff captain Julio Urías, full with some unimaginable Mexico flag cleats — and prime-time-mid-day tv protection as properly. Colombia is in solely its second Classic and has its fingers full with Urías and a particularly motivated Mexican staff.
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela
7 p.m. ET, FS1
Great Britain vs. United States
9 p.m. ET, FOX
The stacked USA lineup could have to spice up a shaky pitching employees, significantly atop the rotation, however in case you’re frightened concerning the lack of zip on Adam Wainwright‘s fastball — which has been a critical fear to date in Spring Training — this might present him with a get-right recreation; he received’t face a weaker lineup than Great Britain’s all season. Great Britain hasn’t introduced a beginning pitcher but, however dealing with this Turner/Trout/Goldschmidt/Arenado/Tucker gauntlet, perhaps the Brits know, however they’re simply protecting him in hiding for his personal safety.
Czech Republic vs. Korea
10 p.m. ET, FS1
This is how a lot nice baseball there’s on Saturday: You get to observe the Czech staff twice. Korea has gotten off to the worst begin conceivable to date, dropping each of its video games regardless of a roster that appeared able to probably placing collectively a deep run within the Classic. For all of the love the Czech staff has garnered, that is completely a must-win for them. With a win vs. Japan maybe an excessive amount of to hope for, incomes a break up on Saturday can be a large victory.
Chinese Taipei vs. Cuba
11 p.m. ET, FS2
Cuba bounced again from its tough begin to the Classic with a important win over Panama on Thursday, and whereas they nonetheless want somewhat assist, a win over Chinese Taipei right here may very well be sufficient to get the Cubans into the subsequent spherical; they’ll want the Netherlands to assist them out in opposition to Italy on Sunday. This has been a Cuban staff in contrast to another, and there’s a non-zero risk that that is the final time you ever get to see Yoenis Céspedes play. I can’t consider a greater motive to observe proper there.
