2023 World Baseball Classic

Red(s)HawksFan

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I imagine Fox is digging deep to get a PBP team for these games in Taiwan, but wow are they stumbling over themselves trying to figure out what is a pretty straight forward play.

Bottom of the second, runner on first. Batter bunts, hesitates coming out of the box and gets bowled over by the catcher who was making a play on the ball. Catcher throws to second to get the lead runner, shortstop throws to first for a double play. First they call it a 1-6 double play (pitcher wasn't involved at all). Then they wonder whether because the catcher tagged the hitter out (he didn't), the play at second is no longer a force and therefore the out called there is incorrect because the runner wasn't tagged. Then after replay they figure out there was no tag at the plate and correct it to 1-6-3 double play (again, pitcher wasn't involved). Guess it's spring training for the announcers too.
 

jon abbey

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Ryan Ruocco is the play by play guy, he has at least some experience doing Yankee games.
 

jon abbey

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And Ryan Rowland-Smith is the color guy, one of the best announcers in MLB (he does Mariners games). I didn’t see the play referenced above.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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What a catch by Panama's RF Luis Castillo. Full speed into the RCF gap, collided with the center fielder in mid-air on the warning track and hung on. Meanwhile the batter rounded the bases thinking he had an inside the parker.
 

Ale Xander

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Oooh, didn't see this thread. Thanks, Tokyo, for starting it. My main interest this week before we get to the nitty-gritty, is to see players play the exhibitions against their real-life teams. (Altuve-Venezuela v. Astros, Enrique-Puerto Rico, v Red Sox etc.) At least I'm hoping it happens.
 

Max Power

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I imagine Fox is digging deep to get a PBP team for these games in Taiwan, but wow are they stumbling over themselves trying to figure out what is a pretty straight forward play.

Bottom of the second, runner on first. Batter bunts, hesitates coming out of the box and gets bowled over by the catcher who was making a play on the ball. Catcher throws to second to get the lead runner, shortstop throws to first for a double play. First they call it a 1-6 double play (pitcher wasn't involved at all). Then they wonder whether because the catcher tagged the hitter out (he didn't), the play at second is no longer a force and therefore the out called there is incorrect because the runner wasn't tagged. Then after replay they figure out there was no tag at the plate and correct it to 1-6-3 double play (again, pitcher wasn't involved). Guess it's spring training for the announcers too.
Are we sure they're even on site? It may be that they're calling the games remote and didn't have a very good look at anything on the TV feeds they were working with. There were a lot of confused calls during the pandemic.
 

YTF

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With Tzu-Wei Lin, Jonathan Arauz, and Yu Chang all in this PAN-TPE game, it's like we're getting a showcase of recent Red Sox utility infielders.
Watching an interview with Ryan Lavarnway on the MLB Network. Lavarnway is once again playing for team Israel along with current Sox pitcher Richard Bleier. Former Red Sox Ian Kinsler is managing the squad and Kevin Youkilis is the hitting instructor.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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And Panama wins 12-5 to boot.

I think it counts as an upset.
Considering it's Panama's first appearance in the WBC since 2009 and their first time scoring a run in a WBC game since 2006, I'd say yeah, Panama beating Chinese Taipei in Taiwan is an upset.
 

trekfan55

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Considering it's Panama's first appearance in the WBC since 2009 and their first time scoring a run in a WBC game since 2006, I'd say yeah, Panama beating Chinese Taipei in Taiwan is an upset.
Oh yes it does.

Even gives me a little hope.

They crushed the other teams in the preliminary round (held here in Panama). Granted not the same as facing Netherlands, Cuba and Taipei but still.
 

The_Dali

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Watched some of the Netherlands/Cuba game and I wish so so e would have punched the guy blowing the horn all night. Jeez.

Was fun to see competitive “real” games. The pitching will be key for these teams.
 

JM3

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Some of the players who played for Taiwan today...

Chang
Chiang
Cheng
Chen
Chen
Chen
Chen
Teng
Tseng
Sung
Wang
Wang
Wu
Wu
Lin
Lin
Giljegiljaw
 

Ale Xander

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DR lineup today

1. JROD CF
2. Devers DH
3. Machado 3B
4. Teoscar H. RF
5. Cano 1B (injury replacement for Vladdy)
6. Sanchez, G C
7. Eloy Jimenez LF
8. Willy Adames 2B
9. Jeremy Pena SS
Not sure who is pitching

Bench:
Wander (SS/3B/UT), Segura (IF), Cruz, N (DH/OF), K. Marte (2B/UT)
 

Ale Xander

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Cristian Javier starting for the DR

Cano hits a 3RHR in the 3rd, and the DR puts up a 5 spot to take a 5-0 lead.
 

FlexFlexerson

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I admit to not being too tuned into the WBC outside of how it impacts the Sox, but I'm for watching some games this year. Anyone have any good primer articles on emerging storylines and things to watch for, can't-miss matches, and so forth?
 

Ale Xander

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I admit to not being too tuned into the WBC outside of how it impacts the Sox, but I'm for watching some games this year. Anyone have any good primer articles on emerging storylines and things to watch for, can't-miss matches, and so forth?
Can't miss matches:
DR v. Puerto Rico (for the atmosphere-Miami, not sure if it will translate to TV)
DR v. Venezuela for the game itself
(1 of those 3 won't make the quarters)
Japan v. Korea for both, and for politics, but not much drama, since both should make quarters

Canada v. US (Frreeman v. Mookie) may be sorta interesting, as well as Mexico v. US
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I admit to not being too tuned into the WBC outside of how it impacts the Sox, but I'm for watching some games this year. Anyone have any good primer articles on emerging storylines and things to watch for, can't-miss matches, and so forth?
Yahoo/USA Today posted a pretty good primer. Dominican Republic, Japan, and the U.S. are considered the favorites. The Netherlands and Cuba are probably the favorites in Pool A. Japan and South Korea are most likely teams to come out of Pool B. The U.S. arguably has the easiest path out of Pool C, probably with Mexico or Colombia. Pool D is going to be the dog fight, with D.R., Venezuela, and Puerto Rico all looking strong. Any match-ups pairing up those teams are worth a look.
 

FlexFlexerson

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Can't miss matches:
DR v. Puerto Rico (for the atmosphere-Miami, not sure if it will translate to TV)
DR v. Venezuela for the game itself
(1 of those 3 won't make the quarters)
Japan v. Korea for both, and for politics, but not much drama, since both should make quarters

Canada v. US (Frreeman v. Mookie) may be sorta interesting, as well as Mexico v. US
Yahoo/USA Today posted a pretty good primer. Dominican Republic, Japan, and the U.S. are considered the favorites. The Netherlands and Cuba are probably the favorites in Pool A. Japan and South Korea are most likely teams to come out of Pool B. The U.S. arguably has the easiest path out of Pool C, probably with Mexico or Colombia. Pool D is going to be the dog fight, with D.R., Venezuela, and Puerto Rico all looking strong. Any match-ups pairing up those teams are worth a look.
Awesome- this is perfect. Thank you both! Sounds like there going to be some pretty fun games.
 

Ale Xander

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Venezuela lineup v. Hou @ WPB (killer 1-6)

1. Altuve 2B
2. Acuna CF
3. Arraez 1B
4. M. Cabrera DH
5. S. Perez C
6. Gimenez SS
7. Santander RF
8. E. Suarez 3B
9. Peralta LF

R. Suarez P
 

Tokyo Sox

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There
Some of the players who played for Taiwan today...

Chang
Chiang
Cheng
Chen
Chen
Chen
Chen
Teng
Tseng
Sung
Wang
Wang
Wu
Wu
Lin
Lin
Giljegiljaw
Like many places, Taiwan has its own indigenous population. Giljegiljaw officially changed his name from his standardized Taiwanese name (Li-Jen Chu) to his original tribal name a few years ago, and was thought to be the only indigenous Taiwanese in the US system to be using his tribal name at the time.
 

JM3

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Like many places, Taiwan has its own indigenous population. Giljegiljaw officially changed his name from his standardized Taiwanese name (Li-Jen Chu) to his original tribal name a few years ago, and was thought to be the only indigenous Taiwanese in the US system to be using his tribal name at the time.
Informative read, thank you. I hope my post didn't come across insensitively.
 

Tokyo Sox

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Informative read, thank you. I hope my post didn't come across insensitively.
No not at all, and it's not a topic I have any particular expertise in either. It's only something I learned last year when I saw his name in a CPBL twitter thread and it stuck out to me too, so just sharing.
 

InstaFace

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This event is seriously made for him. Does twice the homework of any announcer I've ever listened to, which is super valuable for an event like this. He already did international baseball at the Olympics of course.

Believe me, I've thought about the WBC on multiple occasions over the last couple of months and wish I could have gotten involved in it somehow.
Ah rats. Well, next time around you'll have to take time away from NHL national broadcasts and it'll be tough to fit it in.
 
Last edited:

Ale Xander

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Betts RF
Trout CF
Waltham DH
Goldy 1B
Arenado 3B
Tucker RF
Trea SS
Realmuto C
McNeil 2B (playing the Mueller role of batting champ hitting 9th)

Mikolas starting

pretty loaded
Offense and a ton of gold gloves

USA!!!!
 

nvalvo

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Some of the players who played for Taiwan today...

Chang
Chiang
Cheng
Chen
Chen
Chen
Chen
Teng
Tseng
Sung
Wang
Wang
Wu
Wu
Lin
Lin
Giljegiljaw
He started his pro career as Chu Li-Jen.

Dude is aboriginal Taiwanese, as is Yu Chang. But Giljegiljaw decided to go by his indigenous name, which is pretty cool I think.
 

Tokyo Sox

Baka Gaijin
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Great game happening in the Tokyo Dome - Aussies jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Korea's catcher hit a 3-run bomb to put them up 3-2, they added another run and it was 4-2 for a while, but in the top of the 7th Australia got two guys on and Robbie Glendinning (AA for the Royals) hit a no-doubter 3 run jack of his own, Aussies up 5-4 after 7 now:
View: https://twitter.com/WBCBaseball/status/1633702035680907264?s=20
 

Tokyo Sox

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...then the Aussies hit another 3 run HR to go up 8-4! Then they walked four straight guys to start the 8th, followed by an RBI groundout and now it's 8-6 and Korea has the bases loaded with 1 out...wild game.
 

Tokyo Sox

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Korea scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th on no hits -- 4 walks and two RBI groundouts, and the #9 guy whiffed with the bases loaded and Tommy Edman on deck to preserve Straya's 8-7 lead headed to the 9th.
 

Tokyo Sox

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Tommy Edman caught stealing 2nd to end the game. Aussies with the huge upset 8-7 over Korea to shake up Pool B.

Unless Korea can beat Japan tomorrow and/or the Aussies drop their game to the Czechs, Korea's tournament will end here with pool play.
 

jon abbey

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19 year old Chinese starter gives up a single on the first pitch, then walks the next three guys on 12 pitches, but then gets out of it on a couple short fly balls and a close play at the plate, 1-0 Japan.

Also the endless background noise makes this really hard for me to watch, like that World Cup with vuvuzelas.
 

jon abbey

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There is no replay review in this? I thought both the calls at home and the guy just picked off at first were the wrong calls, but maybe I'm not paying close enough attention.
 

jon abbey

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6 walks now to the first 11 batters, Ohtani is up again with the bases loaded.