'26 World Baseball Classic

Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
2,805
2,802
113
Glad Skenes didn't pull a Skubal and pitch once and jet.
Not happy about that either. On the other hand, if I recall correctly Skubal announced before the tournament he was pitching once while Skenes said he would pitch two.
 

KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,505
3,225
113
Maybe I'm just over baseball but this hasn't been a good product IMO. I'm glad others are enjoying. I kind of want Italy to win it all just so everyone is angry lol
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,947
14,477
113
Maybe I'm just over baseball but this hasn't been a good product IMO. I'm glad others are enjoying. I kind of want Italy to win it all just so everyone is angry lol
Just curious. Why hasn’t it been a good product in your opinion?
 

KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,505
3,225
113
Just curious. Why hasn’t it been a good product in your opinion?
The pitching has been subpar. The format is messy. When a "mercy rule" is used in a QF matchup that's a problem. This should probably be done mid-season though that has different problems.

Do you think the quality has been good?
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,947
14,477
113
The pitching has been subpar. The format is messy. When a "mercy rule" is used in a QF matchup that's a problem. This should probably be done mid-season though that has different problems.

Do you think the quality has been good?
I think the games have been entertaining. I would expect the pitching to not be mid season form, as it is still spring training time for these guys. Although, Nola and Skenes both looked damn good. I don’t have an issue with the mercy rule. It’s win or go home for these teams now and I think that makes for an exciting product.
 

KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,505
3,225
113
I think the games have been entertaining. I would expect the pitching to not be mid season form, as it is still spring training time for these guys. Although, Nola and Skenes both looked damn good. I don’t have an issue with the mercy rule. It’s win or go home for these teams now and I think that makes for an exciting product.
To me, that's the problem--the quality isn't great because when the games are taking place. Korea got destroyed--that shouldn't be happening in the quarters of a tournament at this level.

But that's the great thing--I'm sure many love it. I just want to see high quality games--like we saw with Olympic hockey.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,947
14,477
113
To me, that's the problem--the quality isn't great because when the games are taking place. Korea got destroyed--that shouldn't be happening in the quarters of a tournament at this level.

But that's the great thing--I'm sure many love it. I just want to see high quality games--like we saw with Olympic hockey.
I think all the teams are pretty talented though. It isn’t like one or two teams only have MLB players. Every team does and that makes every game unpredictable. That’s the exciting part of it. Win or go home, one game format makes it even more exciting now.
 
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KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,505
3,225
113
I think all the teams are pretty talented though. It isn’t like one or two teams only have MLB players. Every team does and that makes every game unpredictable. That’s the exciting part of it. Win or go home, one game format makes it even more exciting now.
Enjoy the game tonight...you're definitely not alone with this take. I could just hate baseball in general at this point lol but for me it's what I see as lack of quality (aka being in mid-season form)
 
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CyphaPSU

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2021
1,301
2,283
113
With the way US bats have been mostly cold, I didn’t think we had that big of a chance to win against that DR lineup—especially once it becomes a bullpen game. But I’m thankful to have been wrong. Great pitching all night and great defense won that game.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,947
14,477
113
The U.S. got some fantastic pitching and defense in key points of the game last night. Great team win over a LOADED DR team.
 
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Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
2,805
2,802
113
With the way US bats have been mostly cold, I didn’t think we had that big of a chance to win against that DR lineup—especially once it becomes a bullpen game. But I’m thankful to have been wrong. Great pitching all night and great defense won that game.
Yep great pitching beats great hitting most of the time.
 
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BCS PSU

All-Conference
Jun 2, 2001
793
1,350
93
Yep great pitching beats great hitting most of the time.
Who would've thought that two of the US's relief pitchers last night, including the closer, are from the Pittsburgh area? FYI, Mason Miller went to that baseball powerhouse Waynesburg.
 

NittPicker

Heisman
Jun 30, 2001
6,040
12,755
113
Man was that a terrible call and that last pitch - feel bad for the DR, but not that bad.
My thoughts as well. OTOH, every team has to deal with its share of good and bad calls. Unfortunately for the DR, that one came at an inopportune time. But even if the pitch had been called correctly, they still had work to do to at least tie the game. Maybe the next guy would have popped out. Only the Fates know.
 
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KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,505
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The U.S. got some fantastic pitching and defense in key points of the game last night. Great team win over a LOADED DR team.
Agreed...now last night's game was a great game. We'll see how the final two games go but no complaints at all with last night (other than the horrible call that ended it but that's part of the game)
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,947
14,477
113
My thoughts as well. OTOH, every team has to deal with its share of good and bad calls. Unfortunately for the DR, that one came at an inopportune time. But even if the pitch had been called correctly, they still had work to do to at least tie the game. Maybe the next guy would have popped out. Only the fates know.
It’s interesting that the game is going to be remembered for that because I was thinking earlier in the game that the ump was doing a really good job and I was wondering why the MLB can’t seem to consistently get a home plate ump as good as last night?
 
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NittPicker

Heisman
Jun 30, 2001
6,040
12,755
113
As a Phillies fan, this sort of non-existent offense in any given game is deja vu. It's weird how almost everyone in such a talented line-up can all go flat at the same time. You'd think maybe three or four guys could put a fight. Two hits through six innings is not good.

Three more innings to bat though. In Phillies fashion, maybe they'll score a lot of runs in only one inning and that'll hold up for the win. Hopefully....
 

LionJim

Heisman
Oct 12, 2021
14,708
20,497
113

“The Greatest Showman?” Yeah, flash and style is what’s important. Washington won the World Series the year he left and, believe you me, it was all that much sweeter winning it without Harper.

Harper hit .185 in the WBC. I appreciate his willingness to play and thank him for that but spare me this over the top glorification already.

Apologies for hijacking the thread.
 
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NittPicker

Heisman
Jun 30, 2001
6,040
12,755
113
“The Greatest Showman?” Yeah, flash and style is what’s important. Washington won the World Series the year he left and, believe you me, it was all that much sweeter winning it without Harper.

Harper hit .185 in the WBC. I appreciate his willingness to play and thank him for that but spare me this over the top glorification already.

Apologies for hijacking the thread.
The home run was a great moment but it's a shame it'll only be remembered as a footnote to the game. The HR only created a tie, but Harper's trot and the team's way-too-jubilant-for-the-moment celebration would make someone think it was a bottom of the ninth walk off. There was still a lot of work to do at that point and unfortunately, the work never got done.

I write that as a Phillies fan who loves Harper's competitiveness. Team USA in general was clearly an offensive flop. Venezuela deserved to win the game. They also played with much more genuine enthusiasm.
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
2,608
3,035
113
The home run was a great moment but it's a shame it'll only be remembered as a footnote to the game. The HR only created a tie, but Harper's trot and the team's way-too-jubilant-for-the-moment celebration would make someone think it was a bottom of the ninth walk off. There was still a lot of work to do at that point and unfortunately, the work never got done.

I write that as a Phillies fan who loves Harper's competitiveness. Team USA in general was clearly an offensive flop. Venezuela deserved to win the game. They also played with much more genuine enthusiasm.
Venezuela to me seemed to be much more relaxed and having fun. USA players seemed tightly wound and it showed with their offensive performance. Congrats to Venezuela. I think "Big Poppi" was correct in the pregame that winning it all meant much more to Venezuela after all the turmoil in their country in the past decades and into the present.
 

LionJim

Heisman
Oct 12, 2021
14,708
20,497
113
Venezuela to me seemed to be much more relaxed and having fun. USA players seemed tightly wound and it showed with their offensive performance. Congrats to Venezuela. I think "Big Poppi" was correct in the pregame that winning it all meant much more to Venezuela after all the turmoil in their country in the past decades and into the present.
I have to think that it was a no-win situation for Team USA. If they win, they’re just doing what they’re supposed to do and if they lose know-nothing critics (such as me, perhaps) come crawling out of the woodwork. Team USA gave it their all, good enough for me.