World Baseball Classic UPDATE!

It is very hard to give updates on the WBC because of the way the schedule for the event is set-up, but I thought that this would be an appropriate to give one.

First let me explain what has happened in POOL C.

Even with one game left to go in POOL play, the two teams representing the POOL in the next round have been decided. Those two teams are Puerto Rice and the Dominican Republic. Here are the standings and the results of all games in POOL C:

Standings

Dominican Republic 3-0

Puerto Rico 2-1

Venezuela 1-2

Spain 0-3

Results

Dominican Republic 9, Venezuela 3

Puerto Rico 3, Spain 0

Dominican Republic 6, Spain 3

Puerto Rico 6, Venezuela 3

Venezuela 11, Spain 6

Dominican Republic  4, Puerto Rico 2

Now lets take a look at POOL D...

After the game between USA and Canada today, POOL D has officially ended. The two teams that will advance will be the United States and Italy. I expected the United States to move on, but Italy was a total surprise. Here are the final standings and results from each of the games:

Standings

United States 2-1

Italy 2-1

Canada 1-2

Mexico 1-2

Results

Italy 6, Mexico 5

Italy 14, Canada 4

Mexico 5, United States 2

Canada 10, Mexico 3

United States 6, Italy 2

United States 9, Canada 4

What is ahead for POOL C and POOL D winner and runner-up?

Now that we know who will advance from POOL C and POOL D, we know what to expect. All four teams will now head to Miami were they will play in a customized double elimination tournament until only two more remain known as POOL 2. As a reminder here is how bracket is the set-up in the second round:

Game 1: Italy vs. Dominican Republic

Game 2: United States vs. Puerto Rico

Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (LOSER ELIMINATED)

Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (WINNER ADVANCES)

Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (LOSER ELIMINATED)

Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 (Determines POOL Winner for next round seeding)

 What's going on in POOL 1 of the second round?

Okay, so if you remember, you know that the four teams that make up POOL 1 are Cuba, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and The Kingdom of the Netherlands; these are the winners and runner-ups to POOL A and POOL B. Here is what has happened so far: (Using the same bracket just explained for POOL 2)

Game 1: Netherlands 6, Cuba 2

Game 2: Japan 4, Chinese Taipei 3

Game 3: Cuba 14, Chinese Taipei 0 (LOSER ELIMINATED)

Game 4: Japan 16, Netherlands 4

Game 5: Netherlands vs. Cuba (TBD) (LOSER ELIMINATED)

Game 6: Japan vs. Winner of Game 5 (Determines POOL winner)

So now you sound be all caught up on the WBC. Continue watching great international baseball!!!

Until next time, 

-JM

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