I have a bad feeling about today. Both Italy and Mexico will be pressed to score runs and they don't need to. All Italy has to do is not allow 5 runs to Mexico and they're in. Neither team needs to score so both could just go up hacking at everything to eliminate the US as both advance.
It makes too much sense for Mexico and Italy to collude and have an under the table handshake deal to get them both in. Unfortunately USA put themselves in this tough position. Reminds me of our government.
1-0 Italy. 3 more runs for Italy and USA is guaranteed in (They need 4) Assuming it doesn't go into extras
I'm not about to try and figure out the extra inning math if Mexico comes back to tie it. US isn't guaranteed anything yet, I don't believe
If Mexico wins it they will have to score 7 runs. That's 13 given up by Italy (US has given up 11) So US is in unless Italy loses 7-6 and it goes something like 13 innings or so
Now that team USA got new life, you expect them to start playing with more urgency and energy, right? Hope it's lesson learned for them because advancing to the Finals will be tough as the runner-up in this pool.
I don't think being the runner up changes much. Having to play Canada instead of Puerto Rico doesn't matter and either way they were likely playing Japan or the DR in the following round. Almost would rather play Canada and Japan instead of Puerto Rico and the DR...
If the score is 7-6 Mexico after the 13th inning then both Italy and Mexico would advance US 11 runs in 54 outs = .2037037 Italy 13 runs in 64 outs = .203125 Mexico 11 runs in 61 outs = .18032787
