Boom! Take that, other countries!
Team USA jumped out of the gates this weekend winning their first two games of the WBC and clinching a spot in round two. Let’s take a quick look at their two victories a little closer.
Game 1 – USA 6, Canada 5
This was billed as a retribution game for losing to America’s Hat in the first WBC. And it almost was a repeat of 06 when the Canadiens got a man to second in the bottomw of the 9th before JJ Putz got Jason Bay to fly out to end the game.
Team USA relied on the long ball to score most of their runs (the only non-HR run came on a Brian McCann sac fly in the 2nd) which is a little worrisome. I’d like to see them be able to play small ball at times to manufacture runs when they run up agains good pitching, which they will eventually if they make it far enough. There are gonna be days when you can’t crank it out of the park 5 times, and they need to be able squeeze runs out of bad days.
Peavy started and was good but not great giving up two runs (both earned) on two hits in three innings. He walked 3 and struck out 4. I know he’s not in midseason form, but I still don’t like that he talked about it as if it were a tune-up after the game. No reliever worked more than 1 inning, but I think that is USA’s strategy for the tournament. It would explain why they are carrying so many relievers.
USA Player of the Game: Brain McCann (1 for 2, HR, BB, run, 3 RBI)
USA Goat of the Game: Chipper Jones (0 for 4, 3K, 5 LOB)
Game 2 – USA 16, Venzuela 5
This game was over after an 8 run sixth inning by the USA. Until then, it had been a back and forth affair, that held my attention during the private party in a bar I was at.
This is what I’m talking about. Scoring runs in bunches with rallies, and letting the HRs come later when the game is already in the bag. Hell, we even walked in a run, which is turly the ‘Merican way. The only starter without a hit was Chipper, who was pulled because of injury. Shocker, I know.
Oswalt was shaky in his 3 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs (all earned) on 6 hits. He walked 2 and only struck out 1. The pitching is starting to worry me a bit. I mean, these are the “aces” of the staff and they are getting knocked around pretty well so far. I’d love to have our starters dominating. Especially if they are only pitching 3 innings. Also, I was a little shocked to see Zeigler get shelled like he did. Apparently, the rest of world isn’t fooled by his weird delivery.
USA Player of the Game: Mark DeRosa (1 for 2, triple, run, BB, 4 RBI)
USA Goat of the Game: This could easily go to Chipper again for going 0-for-life AND getting hurt, but I’ll give it to Pedroia (1 for 6, 1K, 4 LOB, missing a bunt and getting Rollins picked off in the first inning)
Next up: Wednesday vs. Venezuela/Italy/Canada
Fuck you Venzuela!