Topicmaster1010

Cuba with an early 2-0 lead, Czech Republic still hanging on to a 3-1 lead

Great start for the Czech Republic. They lead 2-0 after the 1st inning

Pool C & D Exhibition Results: March 9th Pool C: Colombia 5-4 Chicago White Sox Great Britain 1-8 Kansas City Royals Canada 3-5 Seattle Mariners Mexico 11-1 Colorado Rockies United States 6-0 Los Angeles Angels Pool D: Dominican Republic 1-2 Minnesota Twins Nicaragua 4-6 St. Louis Cardinals Puerto Rico 0-9 Atlanta Braves Venezuela 6-4 New York Mets Israel 9-0 Washington Nationals

The Czech team will make their long awaited WBC debut in just over 5 hours. They are the very definition of an underdog true. For those who don't know, the team is made up entirely of homegrown players (except for 2) and most of these guys only play baseball part time. They work their day jobs on weekdays and then play baseball on the weekends. And despite this they still beat a strong Spanish team composed of Dominican and Venezuelan rejects to qualify for this tournament. That game against China tonight will be huge for them as it could determine the last place finisher which is the team that will have to go through qualification again for the next tournament. Before yesterday, I would have said the Czechs were better but after China's performance against Japan, I'm not so sure now. Elsewhere, the biggest rivalry in baseball rewrites another chapter as Japan and Korea face off again. This will be their first WBC matchup since the 2009 championship game and Korea likely needs to win this in order to keep their tournament hopes alive. Meanwhile, in Pool A, Panama and Taiwan need to win today if they want to keep their tournament alive. Italy looks to go to 2-0 and put themselves in a great position.

Italy does it! They win 6-2. Cuba in major trouble now

All tied at 2!

Amazing play by Moncada to prevent a run for Italy!

Very respectable effort by China. Was definitely expecting the mercy rule. Going to be a big game for them and the Czechs coming up tomorrow

Cuba scores! 2-1 now. On another note, this Cuban fan with the horn is going to drive me to insanity by the time this tournament ends

Yoenis Cespedes with a bad read in the outfield, 2-0 Italy

Upset complete! Australia wins! Korea in huge trouble now. If all 3 of Australia, Japan, and Korea win their games against the Czech Republic and China, then Korea would basically have to beat Japan to advance which will be anything but easy.

Australia gets out of the inning! 8-7 lead for them still

man Australia is really shooting themselves in the foot here

ooh boy, tying run at the plate!

Oh my, Australia with another 3-run home run! Korea in huge trouble now

Jurickson Profar has liftoff! 2-0 Kingdom of the Netherlands

This game is insane!!!

Korea extends their lead. 4-2 now

Korea should have gone with Kim Kwang Hyun for this game. A must win game for them and they don't use their ace.

Australia takes an early 1-0 lead on Korea. Korea looks terrible so far. On another note, there will be no repeat no-hitter for Martis

Fun fact: Dutch pitcher, Shairon Martis, is the only player in WBC history to throw a no-hitter (not allowing any hits in a game) which he did against Panama back in 2006. Today, Panama and the Netherlands meet again for the first time since then and the starting pitcher for the Netherlands today is, you guessed it, Shairon Martis Lot of other stuff to look forward to today. Korea vs. Australia could be the match that decides 3rd place in Pool B, Shohei Ohtani makes his first start, Matt Harvey starts for Italy, and Cuba needs to win tonight or they'll be in serious trouble

Yikes, glad I went back to sleep after the 4th. I'm officially dead inside

Panama strikes first; classic mistake of leaving your starting pitcher in the game too long

Uh, Taiwan leaves the bases loaded. Crowd's been absolutely incredible so far!

I am awake! Crowd going to be rocking for Panama vs. Taiwan