Men's Baseball WBSC World Baseball Classic 2026 Road to LA 2028

[Olympicsnell 333]

19 hours ago, copravolley said:

It's a shame there's no Olympic qualification for Europe here... Italy is by far the best European team with this lineup from this tournament, and at the European Championships we lost to the Netherlands in the final. Hopefully, we can maintain this current lineup until the Olympic qualification.

no chance im afraid, because the mlb wont release players during the season 

[phelps 8,728]

5 hours ago, Fly_like_a_don said:

So less than 12 hours to go to for the controversial final to start rigged in favour of 

 

 

Funny how WBC held every 4 years has almost the same teams in same groups, controversial decisions in semis aside ensures such unjust final.

 

Thanks to tournament rules, Team USA, having played Sunday and getting the day off Monday, has a pitching advantage. Every USA pitcher is technically eligible to pitch. Venezuela, meanwhile, will be limited by back-to-back rules.

 

It doesn't quite seem fair to have a setup like this. Hopefully no baseball after 2028. Olympics doesn't need such unfair sports.

actually, in a short span like in this tournament, it's a lot better to play in 2 consecutive days and keep the daily routine than having a day off

the only issue might be the rules about pitching, but this time they don 't have any influence since no Venezuelan pitcher threw more than 39 pitches last night and therefore they are all available tonight 

remember that baseball sometimes also plays doubleheaders (with only 30/60 min break between 2 matches)

playing in consecutive days is the rule, not an exception for those players

Edited March 17 by phelps

[JoshMartini007 2,864]

Yup 162 matches over 195 days during the regular season.

 

7 matches over 13 days is nothing to these players

[Topicmaster1010 6,598]

WBC Championship Game Starting Lineups:

 

 Venezuela

1. Ronald Acuña Jr. (Right Field)

2. Maikel Garcia (3rd Base)

3. Luis Arraez (1st Base)

4. Eugenio Suárez (Designated Hitter)

5. Gleyber Torres (2nd Base)

6. Ezequiel Tovar (Shortstop)

7. Wilyer Abreu (Left Field)

8. Salvador Perez (Catcher)

9. Jackson Chourio (Center Field)

Starting Pitcher: Eduardo Rodriguez

 

 United States

1. Bobby Witt Jr. (Shortstop)

2. Bryce Harper (1st Base)

3. Aaron Judge (Right Field)

4. Kyle Schwarber (Designated Hitter)

5. Alex Bregman (3rd Base)

6. Roman Anthony (Left Field)

7. Will Smith (Catcher)

8. Brice Turang (2nd Base)

9. Byron Buxton (Center Field)

Starting Pitcher: Nolan McLean

[clemsonbeav 637]

Of course will be rooting for  tonight, but so much love and heart for .  I know it would mean a lot to all of you and for your country.  (This Spanish teacher has a soft spot for mis hermanos americanos. )  Hope it's a good game, and may the best team win. 

Edited March 17 by clemsonbeav

[Topicmaster1010 6,598]

Venezuela strikes first in the 3rd inning with a sacrifice fly to lead 1-0

[Topicmaster1010 6,598]

 Eduardo Rodriguez very sharp through 3 innings. Only 1 hit allowed so far.

[Topicmaster1010 6,598]

 Wilyer Abreu solo home run!

 

2-0 Venezuela

[bmo 269]

3 minutes ago, Topicmaster1010 said:

 Wilyer Abreu solo home run!

 

2-0 Venezuela

 has to get the bats going. Gotta get Rodriguez out of the game. He is pitching well.

[Topicmaster1010 6,598]

6 minutes ago, bmo said:

 has to get the bats going. Gotta get Rodriguez out of the game. He is pitching well.

and he's out after 4.1 innings.

 

Did not have 5.02 ERA Eduardo Rodriguez shutting down the US lineup on my bingo card.