Wow the US might not make it out of the pool stage. If Mexico beats Italy tomorrow, the US is 99% out.
All I could think about from that Harper AB was what it would have been like to have him on the Astros... What a weird 2nd and 3rd tiebreaker! Spoiler What happens if teams post even records against their tied opponents? After the first tiebreaker, the process gets a little more confusing, and more math becomes involved. The way that the WBC website describes this stage is as, "The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the lowest quotient of fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games in that round between the teams tied." This uses big words and makes it sound confusing. Basically, what happens is that they divide the number of runs allowed over pool play by the number of defensive outs recorded. In a sense, this is a spin on a team's earned run average, but it takes into account all runs, whether earned or not.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the USA advances if: 1) Italy beats Mexico (in any score combination) 2) Mexico beats Italy and Mexico scores 6 runs or more As it stands now, USA has given up 11 runs vs Mexico + Italy (3 + 8) Italy has given up 6 runs vs USA Mexico has given up 5 runs vs USA In the event of a 3-way tie, runs against is the first tiebreaker. So I believe the USA's odds of advancing remain quite high -- probably greater than 70%.
OMG. Inexcusable. I was wondering why Yarbrough was left in for so long. In a tournament like this, you have to play to win every inning. Pitching Ryan Yarbrough for multiple innings is not the answer.
I don't get the runs given up tie-breaker as that favors teams with better pitching. USA (team A) could beat team B 7-0 and lose to team C 8-6 and still lose out on a tie breaker because Team B beat Team C 1-0. Team A = 8 runs given up Team B = 7 runs given up Team C = 7 runs given up In reality Team A is +5 (13 RF, 8 RA), Team B -6 (1 RF, 7 RA) and Team C = +1 (8 RF, 7 RA) Literally should be run differential. Why favor pitching only?
It’s a small sample size tournament. No perfect system to break ties. You could also easily criticize run differential whenever a team decides to let a position player pitch and the game is well out of hand. (By which forcing teams to respect runs allowed is supposed to mitigate). Yes, one bad pitching outing by a team could essentially cost them if the other teams pitch effectively as well.
Less talented Americans beat Americans...but good for "Italy". This international tournament has 4 teams composed almost entirely of Americans. One of the many jokes that comprise this format. I'm glad that the Japanese and Latin Americans love this tournament, but the only thing I care about is no Astros getting hurt.
Mexico vs USA felt like a playoff game. Lot of ppl in attendance. Durant was there, Houston rappers, texans guys etc.
If Italy beats Mexico, Italy and the US advance If Mexico beats Italy and scores 5 or more runs, Mexico and US advance If Mexico beats Italy and scores 4 or less runs, Mexico and Italy advance
