Last night we got to see the epic conclusion of the World Baseball Classic, as two powerhouse teams went head to head in the final. Team USA and Team Venezuela squared off to see which epic roster of superstar talent could call themselves best in the world. While Team USA was heavily favored from the offset to be a juggernaut, Team Venezuela beat out several other teams that were predicted to do better in the series, taking their place in the final. Considering the dominant talent that has come out of Venezuela for
decades, their rise to the top of the WBC should come as no surprise.
In the winner-take-all final, Team Venezuela emerged victorious. The final score was 3-2. Despite the best efforts of Bryce Harper to tie the game in late innings, Venezuela came out on top, winning their first WBC Championship.
With the WBC now finished, focus will return to the final weeks of Spring Training as teams gear up for Opening Day. Years with the WBC are always such a treat, as we get to see the best of the best go head-to-head, but also it serves as a tremendous platform for baseball on a more global scale. The more eyes on the sport the better.
Let’s get into the rest of today’s links.
- Eric Longenhagen breaks down some experiment rule changes we might see in the minors this season.
- Davy Andrews tries to provide context for the Texas Ranger statue at Globe Life Field.
- Max Ralph looks at all the previous MVP winners at past WBCs.
- Team USA were rocking a lucky charm on their way to the WBC finals. Story by Kristen Wong.
- Shohei Ohtani is slated to make his Spring Training pitching debut today. (AP)
- Gerrit Cole is also poised to make his return today for the Yankees. (AP)
- Yikes, bring on the ABS, please.
- Davy Andrews looks at how baseball sometimes really is a children’s game.
- Anthony Castrovince looks at how Team Venezuela managed to find their pitching groove just in time for the biggest test of the WBC.
- Jimmy Traina looks at how the WBC succeeded in creating consistent buzz about baseball ahead of the regular MLB season.
- Alex Rodriguez is bad at comparisons. Story by Andy Nesbitt.
- Evan Drellich looks at how much WBC winners stand to earn. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Some big moments from WBCs past.
- Michael Baumann takes a look at what the Brewers can expect from their new pitching rotation.
- The Red Sox have signed Tommy Kahnle to a minor league deal. Story by Manny Randhawa.
- Madison Williams looks at a sweet moment between Clayton Kershaw and his son.
- White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil will miss the season due to elbow surgery. (AP)
- Andy McCullough looks at why Team USA would lean on rookie pitcher Nolan McLean to start the biggest game of the series. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- A very important update about the Mariners’ ferry boat. (Here’s a direct link to the BlueSky post for anyone reading on Apple News)
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.
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