World Baseball Classic 2023

[basashi]

Okamoto and Murakami had a classic home run race for the 2021 Central League home run title. Ended in a tie. Murakami shot ahead and won 2022 easily. Okamoto did not get picked for the Japan Olympic team.

 

[basashi]

Japanese TV last night was adamant that both Ohtani and Darvish would pitch today

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Japanese TV last night was adamant that both Ohtani and Darvish would pitch today

Darvish was named as the starter during the FS1 broadcast of the semi-final yesterday, but was bumped after the game was over. Presumably he's available out of the bullpen, if required.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

USA 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and have left seven on base so far.

 

[basashi]

Darvish was named as the starter during the FS1 broadcast of the semi-final yesterday, but was bumped after the game was over. Presumably he's available out of the bullpen, if required.

Japanese commentary saying sooner rather than later

 

[Dixie Flatline]

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Shohei also warming up in the bullpen, according to the SiriusXM commentators.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

 

[Dixie Flatline]

 

[basashi]

Historically Yamada has sometimes led the pacific league in steals but he is considered too old for it in japan these days

 

[RPCB]

“You think I can convince the viewers that Yu Darvish was tipping pitches against the Astros?”. We all know they were cheating, so stop it.

 

[RPCB]

Team Japan lead 3-2 going to the bottom of the 8th. Let’s see if they can get some separating and then pitch to the USA’s 9-1-2 hitters in the lineup.

 

[RPCB]

What a way to end a fabulous WBC. Shohei Ohtani vs Mike Trout.

Congratulations, Team Japan!

 

[chickenonachain]

Team Japan world champions USA will not be happy

 

[RPCB]

I am sure that even though Ichiro wore #51 for Japan, this is Seiya Suzuki’s jersey. Ichiro is an icon in Japan, however, this is for their current teammate.

 

[FreoRicci]

Team Japan world champions USA will not be happy

Not particularly. Japan are stacked and passionate. Incredible tournament. Probably best I've seen, even with MLB post season and World Series. Globally massive success.
Wouldn't have minded a best of 3 series between these two. Revenue, viewership, entertainment.

WBC does matter and hope the USA biased media realise that. Not everyone wants to watch Yankees destroy Oakland 10-0 every game.

 

[FreoRicci]

USA's lack of small ball with Mookie Betts at bat was disappointing. Either steal or put down a bunt to move McNeil over to second and scoring position with one out.
Instead grounds into a double play. Betts is fast as well.

 

[flamethrower]

What a great final. The GOAT vs the Unicorn with it all on the line. Proof once again that GREAT pitching will always beat GREAT hitting. 100mph with movement - that is so unfair.

In the end Japan won because they had their best pitchers on the bump, while the USA's best pitchers were throwing in front of family and friends in Arizona and Florida at Spring Training.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

 

[Dixie Flatline]

No Australians made the team of the WBC. Looks like Japan had the most representatives (though Shohei is named twice - one as the starting pitcher and then again as the DH):

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The final out of the WBC - Shohei versus Trout. Previously only seen on MLB the Show, now it appears in reality:

 

[CrowdedHouse]

Proof once again that GREAT pitching will always beat GREAT hitting.

Except if Tony Gwynn was ever at bat

 

[largebus]

That last pitch to Trout was borderline unhittable. If only they could get out of that Anaheim hell hole.