You Have Got to Watch This!!!

I know I am in the minority.  From the conversations I have had with different people in the last week, the general public is not interested in the World Baseball Classic.  Heck, the crowds at Marlins Park in Miami for the second round of play have not been as full as I would expect.  In the games not featuring the United States, there appears to be just a few thousand in attendance.  I am sure the number is larger than that, but there are lots, and I mean LOTS of empty seats.  Give me a ticket, and I will be there for every one of the games.

I have never been that interested in the tournament, but something about the 2013 World Baseball Classic drew me to it.  Whether it was the excitement of new teams in the tournament, like Brazil, or the idea that someone would make a Netherlands-type run in 2013, I do not know, but for whatever reason, I am more into this than anything else at the moment.

Look at Pool D in the First Round, where Italy jumped out to a 2-0 record and advanced to the Second Round of the tournament.  Who saw that coming? Italy came from behind to beat Mexico, and then run-ruled Canada before losing to the United States.  The United States lost their first game to Mexico in embarrassing fashion before knocking off Italy and Canada to reach the Second Round as the Pool D winner.

Or what about the fight between Canada and Mexico? Sure, it was ugly, but it garnered some attention by the mainstream media and it probably will force the WBC brass to change the rules regarding tiebreakers in pool play for the 2017 tournament.

But there was lots of more action besides the drama in Pool D.  How about Pool A, where Brazil nearly knocked off Japan in their opening game, but finished with an 0-3 record.  Japan cruised through the competition after that opening game, knocking off China and Cuba en route to a 3-0 record.  Cuba earned the second spot out of Pool A, advancing to the Second Round along with Japan in Tokyo.

Pool B was considered the most competitive First Round pool, and the four countries involved did not let us down.  The Netherlands started things off with a huge win over the 2009 runner-up Korea, before falling to host Chinese Taipei.  Korea bounced back to beat Australia, as did the Netherlands.  Korea knocked off Chinese Taipei to force a three-way tie at 2-1, but Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands advanced to the Second Round.

And what a Second Round it was, with the two powerhouses from Pool A, Japan and Cuba, facing off with an upstart Chinese Taipei team and the team who became famous for knocking off Cuba in 2009, the Netherlands.  The Netherlands started things off with a win over Cuba, after which, Cuba manager Victor Mesa told reporters that the Netherlands team was not that good, and that they should not have lost to them.  Japan and Cuba knocked off Chinese Taipei to eliminate Taipei from the tournament.  Japan knocked off the Netherlands to earn a berth in the Semi-Finals, meanwhile setting up a rematch between the Netherlands and Cuba for the second Semi-Final spot.

The Netherlands was undermanned, losing five players out of their regular lineup, but stayed the course, scoring a walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Kalian Sams, who had committed an error earlier in the contest to allow Cuba to score two runs.  The emotions were high, with Andruw Jones of the Netherlands becoming very animated with the Cuban dugout after the win.

While those four were battling for two spots in the Semi-Finals, Pools C and D were kicking off First Round action.  Pool C featured the most explosive team in the tournament, the Dominican Republic, as well as two powers in Venezuela and Puerto Rico and an upstart team from Spain.  The Dominican Republic swept pool play as expected, but Puerto Rico stole the second spot after knocking off a Venezuelan team that appeared to be out of playing shape.

And now here we sit with just two games left in the Second Round before we play the first Semi-Final on Saturday.  Italy was eliminated on Wednesday night after blowing two leads in the Second Round, first a 4-0 lead against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, and then a 3-0 lead against Puerto Rico on Wednesday.  The United States knocked off Puerto Rico on Tuesday to earn the right to take on the Dominican Republic on Thursday night with a berth in the Semi-Finals on the line.

Want a reason to watch the game? How about David Wright, who is the hottest hitter on the planet right now.  He has accounted for 10 RBI in the United States' four games, more than anyone in the tournament.  He hit a grand slam last Saturday against Italy that got the anemic offense back on track after losing to Mexico.

Or, you could tune in to see 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, who will use his knuckler to try and neutralize the powerful Dominican Republic lineup, which features Jose Reyes, Nelson Cruz, Carlos Santana and perhaps the best baseball player alive right now, Robinson Cano.

True, the United States roster is filled with guys you probably will not recognize, such as Eric Hosmer of the Royals or Willie Bloomquist of the Diamondbacks.  But trust me, these guys are playing hard and have a legitimate shot of winning the World Baseball Classic.  I cannot tell you who will win on Thursday night, but I can guarantee you that if you tune in, you will wish you had been watching all along.

My prediction? The United States stays hot and David Wright leads the team to a victory over the Dominican Republic.  Adam Jones will go deep for the United States and R.A. Dickey will be masterful before turning it over to a strong U.S. bullpen.

Nothing better than meaningful, October-like baseball in mid-March!

Pathetic performance by United States in WBC loss to Mexico

Mexico 1B Adrian Gonzalez

So baseball is America's game?  The United States' performance in their first World Baseball Classic game of 2013 did quite a bit to prove that theory wrong.

I have seen most of the top teams in this tournament, and I am always amazed at how emotional the players play the game, and how emotional the managers manage the game.

Take Cuba for instance.  Cuba has a manager, Victor Mesa, who is more animated during one of their games than Mark Cuban sitting baseline at a Mavericks game.  Mesa is a former player for the Cuban national team, and if you watched his demeanor during the Cubans first round games, you knew without a doubt that he was setting the tone for his entire team and would do whatever it took to win the game.

If you watched the United States on Friday night, you saw Joe Torre and Greg Maddux leaning on the rail of the top step all night, never uttering a word to anyone except themselves.  I am not saying that Torre should be as demonstrative as Mesa is, but showing a little fire would not be a bad thing, would it?

The most animated member of this United States team is Larry Bowa, who has been relegated to a role as the bench coach under Torre.  Unfortunately for fans of the American team, only one player on the field wearing red, white and blue appeared to have the same fire as Bowa, and that was David Wright.

David Wright made a couple of really clutch plays in the field, mainly a backhand deep down the line that he was able to turn into a force out at second base.  In addition to his defensive performance, Wright went 2-4 at the plate with an RBI to score the United States first run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

It was definitely frustrating to watch hitter after hitter head to the plate just to be sent back to the dugout a pitch or two later.  I can understand the United States struggling against Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers, as he is one of the best in the game today.  Gallardo pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on two hits and striking out four United States hitters.  But for the life of me I cannot understand how Luis Mendoza, who is a below average major league pitcher, can shut out the American lineup for two innings when the team needed to take advantage of their offensive strengths.

I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat when the team was down, but in scoring position.  Then I realized that the guys at the plate seemed disconnected and far from focused.  Joe Mauer was 2-4, but struck out looking twice.  Brandon Phillips struck out twice and to quote the movie "Mr. 3000", quite a few of his swings looked like his first few hours out of the womb.

What is the problem with this team? What can be done to turn this thing around?  Italy is 2-0 in Pool D, with their game against the United States on Saturday night.  Mexico is now 1-1 and faces Canada on Saturday afternoon.  If Canada can overcome their 14-4 loss to Italy on Friday, and knock off Mexico, the United States can win their final two games and reach the second round.  If Mexico knocks off Canada, the United States is in more of a tricky situation, needing to rely on run differential in their game against Italy to advance instead of Mexico, if that is even possible still.

Italy has been on fire so far in their first two games of the World Baseball Classic, coming from behind to knock off Mexico, 6-5,  on Thursday before invoking the mercy rule against Canada on Friday in a 14-4 win.  Italy has all but assured themselves of a berth in the second round, which has to be biggest surprise of the tournament so far.

Italy will send Luca Panerati to the hill to start against the United States on Saturday. Panerati is a left-handed pitcher, which will favor the United States right-handed heavy lineup.  The United States will be starting Ryan Vogelsong of the Giants.

If things do not improve greatly on Saturday, your last chance to see the United States play will be Sunday in a meaningless game against Canada.  Maybe before Saturday night this team will find some pride.

Spring Training Preview: March 9

Atlanta LHP Mike Minor

One of the brightest up and coming stars in Major League Baseball will be on the hill Saturday, as the Braves will start Mike Minor against the New York Yankees in Grapefruit League action.

Minor, who is just 25 years old, spent his first full season in the majors during the 2012 season, finishing with an 11-10 record in 30 starts for Atlanta.  Minor recorded 145 strikeouts compared to 56 walks in 179 1/3 innings pitched.

Minor is considered as one of the top breakout candidates of the 2013 season, and if that comes to fruition, Atlanta will once again have one of the top starting rotations in baseball.  Minor will join Kris Medlen, Paul Maholm, Brandon Beachy and Tim Hudson in a rotation that could help Atlanta reach the top of the National League East once again.  At the very least, the Braves will compete for a Wild Card spot once again, after ending their 2012 season in a Wild Card loss to the Cardinals at home.

Grapefruit League Schedule:

Atlanta (7-8) at N.Y. Yankees (3-10) - 12:05 pm CT
Detroit (8-6) at Toronto (6-7) - 12:05 pm CT
Miami (SS) at Washington (5-6) - 12:05 pm CT
Minnesota (8-6) at Pittsburgh (4-8) - 12:05 pm CT
St. Louis (7-5) at Miami (SS) - 12:05 pm CT

Tampa Bay (10-4) at Philadelphia (6-7) - 12:05 pm CT
Houston (6-6) at N.Y. Mets (3-6) - 12:10 pm CT
Baltimore (8-2) at Boston (7-7) - 6:05 pm CT

Cactus League Schedule:

Cleveland (10-5) at Chicago Cubs (5-9) - 2:05 pm CT
Colorado (6-5) at L.A. Angels (3-8) - 2:05 pm CT
Kansas City (11-1) at San Francisco (4-6) - 2:05 pm CT

Milwaukee (6-6) at Cincinnati (2-11) - 2:05 pm CT

Oakland (6-6) at Texas (SS) - 2:05 pm CT

Seattle (11-3) at L.A. Dodgers (4-6) - 2:05 pm CT

Texas (SS) at San Diego (7-7) - 2:05 pm CT
Chicago White Sox (6-3) at Arizona (5-7) - 2:10 pm CT

Spring Training Game 15-B: Texas (4-7-2) vs. San Diego (7-7)

Matt Harrison (1-0, 9.00)

vs.

Clayton Richard (1-0, 0.00)

Spring Training Game 15-B: Texas (4-7-2) at San Diego (7-7) - 2:05 pm CT

The second split squad game for the Rangers takes place in Peoria against the San Diego Padres.  Texas will use the opportunity to carry a split squad as a chance to get a longer look at some of their younger, inexperienced bullpen arms and some of the younger position players battling for spots on the major league roster.

Texas will send Matt Harrison to the hill to get the start against the Padres.  Harrison was scheduled to pitch against Oakland originally, but due to the postponement on Friday, other arms were available in that game, allowing Harrison to not pitch to a divisional rival.  Harrison has pitched four innings in his first two starts of the spring, allowing four runs on nine hits, while recording just one strikeout.

San Diego will counter with Clayton Richard, a left-handed pitcher that has just one start this spring.  Richard went two innings in his lone start against the White Sox on Sunday, allowing no hits, but walking two hitters.  Richard was 14-14 in 33 starts for the Padres in 2012, striking out 107 hitters in 218 2/3 innings, while walking 42.  Richard had a 3.99 ERA in 2012, below his career ERA of 4.13.

Spring Training Game 15-A: Oakland (6-6) vs. Texas (4-7-2)

A.J. Griffin (1-0, 1.80)

vs.

Nick Tepesch (0-0, 1.80)

Spring Training Game 15-A: Oakland (6-6) at Texas (4-7-2) - 2:05 pm CT

The Rangers will have two split squad games on Saturday, the first being a home game against the Oakland Athletics.  Since the Rangers were rained out after four innings on Friday, the coaching staff will be forced to use a different schedule of pitchers than originally scheduled.

Oakland will send A.J. Griffin to the hill to start the game.  Griffin is 1-0 on the spring, with a 1.80 ERA in Cactus League play.  Griffin's last start was on Sunday, a three inning outing against Colorado.  Griffin allowed three hits, including a home run.  Griffin was 7-1 last season in 15 starts for the Athletics after returning from an injury.

The Rangers will counter with rookie pitcher Nick Tepesch as their starter.  Tepesch has no record this spring, but has a 1.80 ERA in five innings of work.  Tepesch has appeared in just two games this spring, with his last outing being last Saturday against Arizona, in which he pitched three innings allowing one run on three hits.  During the 2012 season, Tepesch was 11-6 in 26 minor league starts with a 3.67 ERA.

Rangers/Brewers Postponed on Friday

The Rangers and Brewers were able to get in four innings of play before deteriorating weather conditions forced the teams to postpone the remainder of their game on Friday.

Jeff Beliveau and Michael Kirkman each got to pitch two innings for the Rangers before the game was called.

Beliveau looked good in his two innings, allowing two hits and one walk and recording one strikeout while allowing no runs.

Kirkman threw two scoreless innings in the ballgame, allowing just one hit.  Kirkman has now pitched six innings of scoreless baseball this spring.

Next Up: The Rangers will split up their major league roster on Saturday, sending one squad to Peoria to take on the Padres, with the rest of the team staying at home in Surprise to take on the Athletics.  Nick Tepesch will start for the Rangers against Oakland, who will start A.J. Griffin.  Matt Harrison will start for Texas against San Diego, who will counter with Clayton Richard.

3/7 Cactus League Recap

The Kansas City Royals had been red hot this spring.  Kansas City had won 11 games in a row since tying their spring opener against Texas.  While most fans do not pay attention to spring baseball, those of us who do were wondering who would be responsible for handing the Royals their first loss, if anyone.

But I am not sure that any of us had Seattle in mind when we were making guesses, and I can assure you that no one would have imagined Mariners minor league prospect Stefen Romero going 4-5 at the plate with seven RBI to lead Seattle to the win.

Romero launched two bombs, a three run home run and then a grand slam to collect his seven RBI on Thursday.  Even more impressive is that Romero is a second baseman, a position not known to produce seven RBI games.

Romero is a 24-year old who went to college at Oregon State.  He had 10 at-bats for the Mariners in Spring Training during the 2012 season, collecting five hits.  Romero played 116 games in the minor leagues in 2012, launching 23 home runs and driving in 101 runs.  And if you think Romero is just a power hitter, you would be wrong, as Romero hit .352 last season and stole 12 bases in 17 attempts.

In just his third professional season, Romero could be found in the Mariners lineup later this season, but with Seattle having hopes of contending for a division title, do not expect to see him unless things go south for the team.  Romero should be competing for a starting job in 2014.


Scores from Thursday:

L.A. Angels 12, San Diego 3
Milwaukee 4, Arizona 3
Chicago White Sox 8, Chicago Cubs 3
Seattle (SS) 12, Kansas City 2
Oakland 7, Seattle (SS) 3
Cleveland 6, San Francisco 4


Notes from Thursday:
The Angels got three run home runs from Taylor Lindsey and Travis Witherspoon to go along with a two run shot from Chris Iannetta to rout the Padres, 12-3.  C.J. Wilson started for the Angels, pitching three innings and allowing one run on six hits.  San Diego got a 2-3 performance from Chase Headley and three innings from starting pitcher Freddy Garcia.  Garcia allowed three runs on three hits, including two home runs.  Garcia is now 0-2 on the spring with a 13.50 ERA.  Alex Gonzalez hit a two run home run, his first of the spring, and Khristopher Davis hit another, his third of the spring, as the Brewers squeaked by Arizona, 4-3.  Eric Chavez gave the Diamondbacks a two run home run of his own.  Wade Miley started for Arizona, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out two.  The White Sox got a two run home run from Adam Dunn and a pair of solo shots from Paul Konerko to get by their crosstown rival Cubs, 8-3.  Christian Villanueva had a two run shot for the Cubs in the loss.  Seattle, as mentioned above, got two home runs and seven RBI from Stefen Romero to go along with four RBI from Casper Wells in their 12-2 win over the Royals.  Wells went 2-5 at the plate, launching a three run shot and a double in the win.  Felix Hernandez pitching two innings for Seattle, allowing one run on two hits.  Guillermo Moscoso pitched the third inning for the Royals, giving up five runs on four hits and two walks.  Oakland got a two run home run from new infield candidate Jed Lowrie in their 7-3 win over a split squad Seattle team.  Robert Andino hit a solo home run for the Mariners in the loss.  And finally, Cleveland got big contributions from their new veterans, as Nick Swisher went 2-3 with a three run homer, his third of the spring, and Jason Giambi hit a solo home run, his first.  Ryan Raburn also contributed, going 2-2 at the plate with two RBI.  Ubaldo Jimenez pitched four innings allowing a run on three hits in the win over the Giants.  Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt each drove in two runs for the Giants in the loss.