World Baseball Classic 2023

[Dixie Flatline]

Cuba isn't a bad team, but I would rate them no better than Korea, whom Australia beat. A heap of Cuba's better players aren't playing in the WBC, including Yordan Alvarez, which helps Australia greatly. Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada are in the lineup, but that's like having to face Tommy Edman and Ha-Seong Kim when Australia played Korea. Cuba are missing Yordan Alvarez, Jose Abreu, Aroldis Chapman, Jorge Soler and Yuli Gurriel. They didn't invite Oakland Athletics' utility infielder Aledmys Diaz to play. Adolis Garcia and Miguel Vargas turned down invitations to play, and Randy Arozarena is playing for Mexico despite being eligible to play for Cuba.

It's not going to be a pushover for Australia, but they're also not without a chance. Which would be awesome.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Puerto Rico pitchers combined to throw the first perfect game in WBC history. Four pitchers threw eight perfect innings against Israel before the game ended by the mercy rule (Puerto Rico won 10-0).

Because the game did not go nine innings, it would not be recognised as a perfect game under MLB rules, but it does count under WBC rules. MLB the Show Moonshot legend Yacksel Rios, Jose De Leon, Edwin Diaz of the Mets and Duane Underwood Jr combined to throw the no-hitter, with 12 strikeouts.

The performance is also the second ever no-hitter in WBC history, after Shairon Martis, a RHP for the Dutch, threw a seven-inning no-hitter against Panama that ended early due to the mercy rule.

Jose De Leon started the game for Puerto Rico and threw 5 2/3 innings, striking out 10 Israeli batters. He had thrown 64 pitches so was relieved by Rios. Rios, Diaz and Underwood Jr combined for 2 1/3 innings of perfect pitching. The combined perfect game took 88 pitches.

 

[basashi]

If USA finishes first in its group they will draw Japan / Italy in the semis. Not Australia.

 

[basashi]

Cubans getting a big roar from the crowd. Handful of familiar NPB reps

 

[MatthewB]

Damn ESPN finally put on the broadcast mid 2nd

 

[basashi]

Damn ESPN finally put on the broadcast mid 2nd

George was v unlucky not to get home run.

 

[MatthewB]

Try to find the zone guys

 

[MatthewB]

A low pitch needed there not a **** shot

 

[MatthewB]

That was big, still in it

 

[basashi]

Back in it baby!

 

[MatthewB]

Almost back 2 back so close

 

[FreoRicci]

Bugger. Runner in scoring position.

 

[MatthewB]

A lot of hard hit balls that inning

 

[FreoRicci]

This is intense. Need to get runners on. It's doable

 

[MatthewB]

Great pick

 

[basashi]

Steady stream of fans headed for the gates

 

[largebus]

Low strike

 

[MatthewB]

We need a gapper here

 

[MatthewB]

Poor AB, you can't catch up to high heat

 

[MatthewB]

That may have been our best shot

 

[largebus]

Barely any of Moinello's pitches were in the zone there

 

[FreoRicci]

Barely any of Moinello's pitches were in the zone there

Was more of the anxiety. Bojarski chasing heat was silly.

 

[largebus]

**** yeah double play

 

[MatthewB]

Lucky dp, cmon lads

 

[FreoRicci]

Last innings. Put all on the pressure on. Come on lads.