Gameday Thread: World Baseball Classic Championship - Japan vs USA

[jsnpritchett]

Just now, beatlesrule said:

I'm rooting for Team USA but I'm also 100% okay if Shohei gets to win instead.

I want an entertaining game in which neither Trout nor Ohtani gets hurt.  Beyond that, I don't care about the outcome.

[beatlesrule]

Freeland gives up a solo homer. 3-1 Japan now bottom fourth.

[beatlesrule]

Mookie is safe for sure.

[beatlesrule]

Trout chasing pitches.

[bloodbrother]

Trout can't handle the big stage!

[jsnpritchett]

3 minutes ago, bloodbrother said:

Trout can't handle the big stage!

Hey, cut the dude some slack.  It's been 9 years since he played in a meaningful game...

[Blarg]

I have to wonder what the manager selection process was because Mark DeRosa never managed, wasn't a bench or base coach. He is a MLB channel talking head. 

[jsnpritchett]

1 minute ago, Blarg said:

I have to wonder what the manager selection process was because Mark DeRosa never managed, wasn't a bench or base coach. He is a MLB channel talking head. 

[Blarg]

5 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

[beatlesrule]

Shohei warming up in the bullpen!

[Angels 1961]

12 minutes ago, Blarg said:

I have to wonder what the manager selection process was because Mark DeRosa never managed, wasn't a bench or base coach. He is a MLB channel talking head. 

Madden was not available.

[Angels 1961]

I wonder if this Japanese team played in MLB would it be a contender?

[Justin]

12 minutes ago, Blarg said:

I have to wonder what the manager selection process was because Mark DeRosa never managed, wasn't a bench or base coach. He is a MLB channel talking head. 

The opportunity came from USA Baseball General Manager Tony Reagins, who called DeRosa to see if he wanted to interview for the position.

I assume Reagins thought he was calling Mark Kotsay but by the time the mistake was realized there was nothing that could be done. 

[Blarg]

1 minute ago, beatlesrule said:

Shohei warming up in the bullpen!

Shohei sitting in the bullpen. 

[HeavenlyHalos]

Just now, Angels 1961 said:

I wonder if this Japanese team played in MLB would it be a contender?

Well, they have allowed one run through six innings against essentially an all-star US line-up so, yes, I think they would be a contender. 

[Angels 1961]

20 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

Hey, cut the dude some slack.  It's been 9 years since he played in a meaningful game...

So this game means more than Angel regular season?

[HeavenlyHalos]

2 minutes ago, Angels 1961 said:

So this game means more than Angel regular season?

If you mean a singular regular season game, yes.

[AngelsLakersFan]

5 minutes ago, Angels 1961 said:

I wonder if this Japanese team played in MLB would it be a contender?

I suspect they would be the best team in the league, but hard to say for sure.

[Blarg]

2 minutes ago, HeavenlyHalos said:

Well, they have allowed one run through six innings against essentially an all-star US line-up so, yes, I think they would be a contender. 

There is a big difference between one game where no one knows your pitching staff or hitters and 162. Also, the USA pitching staff is a B squad. 

[AngelsLakersFan]

Just now, HeavenlyHalos said:

If you mean a singular regular season game, yes.

This game is the equivalent of all 162 games for the Angels.

[jsnpritchett]

4 minutes ago, Angels 1961 said:

So this game means more than Angel regular season?

[HeavenlyHalos]

Just now, Blarg said:

There is a big difference between one game where no one knows your pitching staff or hitters and 162. Also, the USA pitching staff is a B squad. 

That's fair but I do believe that it's a talented team with the best player in MLB on it. I do think they would be a playoff team and, in MLB, that means a contender. 

[beatlesrule]

8 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Shohei sitting in the bullpen. 

Your post is definitely more accurate.

[Justin]

8 minutes ago, Angels 1961 said:

I wonder if this Japanese team played in MLB would it be a contender?

ANY team with Ohtani would be a contender. 

Well, except one. 

[Blarg]

1 minute ago, beatlesrule said:

Your post is definitely more accurate.

They are definitely trying to set up a Trout vs Ohtani matchup.