World Baseball Classic

[TitoFan]

It's the U.S. vs the Dominican Republic tonight in what should be a hell of a matchup.
The winner goes directly to the semi-finals in San Francisco, where Japan and the Netherlands are already waiting.
The loser plays Puerto Rico tomorrow night in yet another elimination game, and a second spot in the semi-finals.

I'm enjoying this Baseball Classic!

[boozeboxer]

I hope our pitcher Tim Collins gets to show off a little.

[TitoFan]

@boozeboxer , did you watch any of the last couple of games? Damn! Those were pretty much all close, exciting games. I think the interest in the WBC has increased several times over. Even the major leaguers from the U.S. team, typically lackadaisical about the event, are expressing more interest. Especially team leaders like David Wright, who was sorely missed in the U.S.'s last 2 games.

What stands out to the U.S. players is the amount of fans, the cheering, and the celebrations of the teams that have played in the event.

Both teams eliminated in the 2nd round of Pool B (the U.S. and Italy) lost two 1-run ballgames. Well no... scratch that. The U.S. lost 3-1 against the DR, and 4-3 against Puerto Rico. Italy lost 5-4 against the DR, and 4-3 against Puerto Rico.

It sucks for the U.S. team, but I'm ecstatic about Puerto Rico getting into the semifinals. Of the 4 teams there: Japan, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.... only the Netherlands is surprising to me. I've would've expected to see the U.S. there, or Cuba, or Venezuela.

Be that as it may, I'm glad to see the Caribbean well represented in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.

[TitoFan]

Crap! P.R. lost to DR 2-0 yesterday, and ends up getting seeded 2nd in our semifinal group. That means we get to play Japan tonight, after a trip from Miami to San Francisco. Dominican Republic gets the day off and plays the Netherlands tomorrow night. Not the matchup I was hoping for, but anything can happen. C'mon Puerto Rico... beat Japan!

[boozeboxer]

Crap! P.R. lost to DR 2-0 yesterday, and ends up getting seeded 2nd in our semifinal group. That means we get to play Japan tonight, after a trip from Miami to San Francisco. Dominican Republic gets the day off and plays the Netherlands tomorrow night. Not the matchup I was hoping for, but anything can happen. C'mon Puerto Rico... beat Japan!

I agree, BEAT JAPAN!

[TitoFan]

Crap! P.R. lost to DR 2-0 yesterday, and ends up getting seeded 2nd in our semifinal group. That means we get to play Japan tonight, after a trip from Miami to San Francisco. Dominican Republic gets the day off and plays the Netherlands tomorrow night. Not the matchup I was hoping for, but anything can happen. C'mon Puerto Rico... beat Japan!

I agree, BEAT JAPAN!

Japan down! One more game to go!
Dominican Republic and the Netherlands meet tonight in the other semifinal.
Meanwhile, Japan is eliminated from a World Baseball Classic for the first time ever.

They lost to Puerto Rico last night, 3-1.
People down here are celebrating big time!!

[TitoFan]

This is it!!

It's Puerto Rico vs. the Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic title. It doesn't get any better than this. It's a championship game with all the Caribbean flavor that these two baseball powers bring to the game. These are two rivals who meet yearly in the Caribbean Series, and know each other very well.

Baseball powers U.S., Japan, and Cuba have already been eliminated. The first two by Puerto Rico in what were widely considered upsets.

So come 8:00 pm Eastern Time, I'll be sitting in front of the TV set, cheering on our guys from Puerto Rico, to win the 3rd edition of the World Baseball Classic. To borrow Michael Buffer's phrase..... "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE-E-E-E-E-E!!!!!!"