Sunday was a day of excitement and devastation for baseball fans around the world as teams fought to keep their WBC dreams alive. For some teams, their dreams end here, shattered on fields in Miami, Houston and Tokyo. For others, the journey has only just begun, and the competition will only get fiercer from here.
Japan quashed any notion of a potential early exit with a tight win over Australia in the AM. Cuba set itself up for a major showdown with Puerto Rico in San Juan with a victory over Columbia.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands was all but eliminated by the Dominican Republic, as at 1-2 the Dutch squad has one convoluted route to advancement that is very unlikely to come to fruition. Italy asserted their authority as the dominant team of Europe with a win over Great Britain. Nicaragua was eliminated from advancement with their loss to Israel. Mexico flexed its muscles in a dominant mercy rule victory over Brazil. This tournament would never let you go to bed without an insane game though, and Canada v. Panama delivered. Canada started out strong and took an early lead, but a series of unfortunate misplays ultimately lead to their defeat.
MLB veteran Ruben Tejada lined a single off fellow MLB vet and former Mariner James “Big Maple” Paxton. Panama scored the tying run on the single and took the lead as Paxton cut off the throw from shortstop and sailed it over the head of Bo Naylor, allowing Panama to take the lead and eventually the victory.
What the Heck Does This All Mean?
- As it stands now, Nicaragua, Czechia, Brazil, Columbia, and Great Britain have all been eliminated
- The Netherlands cannot advance with one game remaining against Israel as Venezuela holds the tie breaker.
- Israel can advance if they win out against the Dominican Republic and The Netherlands.
- Korea can advance with a win over Australia and the lowest quotient between them, Taiwan and Australia.
- Taiwan can advance with an Australian loss and lowest quotient between them, Korea and Australia.
- Australia can advance with a victory or a loss and the lowest quotient between them, Taiwan and Korea.
- The US can advance with a win over Mexico on Monday night.
- Italy can advance with a win over the United States or Mexico.
- Mexico can advance with a win over the United States or Italy.
- Panama would need a victory, multiple games and the math to break their way to advance.
- Canda would need to beat both Cuba and Puerto Rico to advance.
- Puerto Rico needs one victory to advance.
- Cuba needs one victory to advance.
Mariners Around the WBC
Games with no Mariners in them:
Australia 3, Japan 4
I hope that was worth my exhaustion and FuboTV free trial. Word to the wise, get Tubi, there’s no app for Fubo on devices like Playstation.
Nicaragua 0, Israel 5
Charlie Beilenson did not make an appearance in the game after pitching in Israel’s last game.
Games with Mariners:
The Netherlands 1, Dominican Rep. 12
Julio Rodriguez went 0-2 with two walks and a run in a dominant victory for the Dominican Republic.
Dylan Wilson pitched a scoreless inning with a walk for The Netherlands
Brazil 0, Mexico 16
Randy Arrozarena went 1-2 with a walk and two runs scored.
Andrés Muñoz did not make an appearance for Mexico.
Pedro Da Costa Lemos did not make an appearance for Brazil.
Panama 4, Canada 3
Josh Naylor had a hit in a defeat to Panama.
Abdiel Mendoza did not make an appearance for Panama after pitching in their last game.
Columbia 4, Cuba 7
Michael Arroyo went 1-3 with 2 walks and 2 runs.
Guillo Zuniga did not make an appearance.
Great Brittan 4, Italy 11
Dominic Canzone went 0-5 with 2ks
Miles Mastrobuoni went 2-2 with a walk and an RBI
The Rest of Today’s Games
Dominican Republic (2-0) v. Israel (1-1) – 9:00 am PST, FS1
Bello vs. Prager
The Dominican Republic has been operating on all cylinders so far this tournament. The DR has already blown out both The Netherlands and Nicaragua. A win here would secure their advancement to the quarter final, and I very much doubt that Israel will pose much of a challenge for the former champs. Israel can still advance if they beat the DR here, but with a loss already on the board to Venezuela they would need a total collapse from Venezuela in the next two games to even have a chance to advance.
Colombia (0-3) v. Panama (1-2) – 9:00 am, FS2
Almeida vs. Espino
With the big victory over Canada on Saturday, Panama is still kicking for now. A victory will keep them in the conversation, but barring a total collapse from Cuba and Puerto Rico, it’s more then likely that this will be their last game of the tournament. Columbia is already eliminated and will be heading home regardless of the outcome. Additionally, finishing last in their pool Columbia will now be relegated from the tournament pool and will have to requalify if they hope to return in three years.
Brazil (0-3) v. Great Britian (0-3) – 10:00 am, Tubi
Both teams are already eliminated from this year’s tournament, the loser of this game however will also be relegated from the WBC pool and have to requalify for the tournament in the next three years. While both teams have certainly had impressive moments during the tournament there’s still the chance we may not see either team for some time.
Cuba (2-0) v. Puerto Rico (2-0) – 4:00 pm FS2
Robaina vs. Rodriguez
The winner of this game will secure a quarterfinal berth and go up against the runner-up from pool B, whoever that ends up being. While it is likely that both teams will advance to the next round there’s no doubt that there’s more at stake then standing. Cuba and Puerto Rico have a long-standing Caribbean rivalry in international baseball and pride, and bragging rights will certainly be on the line. Canada still looms large at 1-1, it is not so farfetched that one of Cuba or Puerto Rico could end up out and Canada advances. Canada still has games left against both teams and could certainly be poised for a major comeback over the next few days.
Venezuela (2-0) v. Nicaragua (0-3) – 4:00 pm FS1
Nicaragua is eliminated and unable to finish above Israel or the Netherlands; they will likely be relegated and have to requalify for the tournament. While Nicaragua has been a great Cinderella story for the past few editions of the tournament as more countries begin to make great strides in baseball it’s not looking like we will see them in the next edition of the competition. With a win Venezuela can punch their ticket to the second round; even better, if they can finish above the DR they can avoid Japan in the opening game of the second round.
Mexico (2-0) v. United States (2-0) – 5:00 pm FOX
Barreda vs. Skenes
Both teams can secure advancement with a win. Both teams also both have to face Italy who also sits at 2-0. Whichever team loses could be out of the WBC with a loss to Italy later this week. If it ends up close I recommend tunning in to see some Mariner on Mariner violence.
