World Baseball Classic: Pool D Preview

The 2013 World Baseball Classic wraps up the first round of play this weekend, with Pools C and D kicking off their action.  Pool D features a United States team that is hungry to win its first World Baseball Classic after reaching the semi-finals in 2009, and Mexico, who is anxious to get back to the second round after being swept by Korea and Cuba in 2009.

The schedule for Pool D is as follows:

Thursday, March 7, 2:00 pm CT - Italy at Mexico (Salt River Fields at Talking Stick)
Friday, March 8, 1:30 pm CT - Canada at Italy (Salt River Fields at Talking Stick)
Friday, March 8, 8:00 pm CT - Mexico at United States
Saturday, March 9, 1:30 pm CT - Canada at Mexico
Saturday, March 9, 8:00 pm CT - United States at Italy
Sunday, March 10, 3:00 pm CT - United States at Canada

All games will be shown on television in the United States on the MLB Network.

All games in Pool D will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, except for the first two games, which will be played at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Phoenix, Arizona.  The format is simple, each team will play the other three teams in Pool D.  The two teams with the best records will advance to the second round to take on the top two teams from Pool C.

Here is a brief look at each team in Pool D:


CANADA

1B Joey Votto

The biggest star on the Canadian team is without a doubt Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto.  Votto, who won the 2011 National League MVP Award, hit .556 for Canada in the 2009 WBC.

Votto is joined on the Canadian infield by Toronto third baseman Brett Lawrie and Justin Morneau of the Twins, who will more than likely see most of the action as the designated hitter.  Pete Orr and Taylor Green have major league experience as well in the infield.

The outfield features Michael Saunders of the Seattle Mariners, and also includes Adam Loewen.  The pitching staff will include current Milwaukee reliever John Axford.  Jameson Taillon is another recognizable name from the pitching staff.  Canada enters the tournament as #6 team in the IBAF World Rankings.

Perhaps the biggest name to Canadian baseball fans is not that of a player, but of Stubby Clapp, a Canadian legend, who is on the coaching staff for Canada, as is former National League MVP Larry Walker.


ITALY

OF Mario Chiarini

The Italian team enters the World Baseball Classic as the #13 team in the IBAF World Rankings, but as the biggest underdog in Pool D.

Without proven starting pitching on the roster, Italy will struggle to get outs against the other three teams in Pool D who feature significant Major League talent offensively.

Italy will be led on their infield by Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs and Nick Punto of the Dodgers.  Their outfield will consist of Chris Denorfia of the Padres and Mario Chiarini.

The pitching staff is relatively thin, but Jason Grilli of the Pirates will be a nice piece to use out of the Italian bullpen.  Matt Torra of the Rays will also see time out the bullpen for Italy.

MEXICO

1B Adrian Gonzalez

Mexico, ranked as the #11 team in the IBAF World Rankings, advanced to the second round of the 2009 WBC after finishing second in Pool B behind Cuba.  Mexico now enters a tougher pool, featuring the United States and Canada.

Mexico will be led by Adrian Gonzalez, but will have other major league caliber players in the lineup, including Jorge Cantu and Luis Cruz. Karim Garcia, who is now 37 yeras old will be in the outfield for Mexico.

The pitching staff as major league experience as well, including Alfredo Aceves of Boston, Luis Mendoza of Kansas City, Fernando Salas of the Cardinals and Rodrigo Lopez of the Phillies.  Perhaps the best arms are that of Sergio Romo of the Giants and Yovani Gallardo of the Milwaukee Brewers.

UNITED STATES

3B David Wright

The United States enters the World Baseball Classic as the second ranked team in the world according to the IBAF World Rankings, but there are many who feel the ranking is not deserved.  The 2013 United States team is hoping they can change that perception.

In the inaugural WBC in 2006, the United States was knocked out of the tournament in the second round, and in 2009 the United States was eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champion Japan.

The United States will be managed by Joe Torre, who when piecing together the roster used the approach of using role players instead of an All-Star type lineup, where guys may just play a few innings at a time.  The United States has put together a very nice pitching staff, including starters R.A. Dickey of Toronto, Gio Gonzalez of Washington and Ryan Vogelsong of San Francisco.  When the bullpen gets their turn, they can turn to Craig Kimbrel of Atlanta or Steve Cishek of Miami.

The infield will feature David Wright of the Mets, Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies and Brandon Phillips of the Reds.  Eric Hosmer of Kansas City is a late replacement for Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who was injured in batting practice earlier this week.

The outfield features Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, Baltimore Orioles star Adam Jones and former MVP Ryan Braun of Milwaukee as well as Shane Victorino of Boston.  Joe Mauer of Minnesota and J.P. Arencibia of Toronto will handle the catching duties along with Jonathan Lucroy of Milwaukee.

PREDICTIONS

Pool D may not appear to be as strong as Pool C on paper, but it could definitely be just as competitive at the top.  The United States is the favorite, but Mexico or Canada either one are capable of pulling the upset. The battle for second is going to be one of the best to watch in this entire tournament.

Here is how I see Pool D playing out:

United States (3-0)

Canada (2-1)

Mexico (1-2)

Italy (0-3)