World Baseball Classic 2013

The World Baseball Classic begins is under way as 16 countries will take center stage for the third time in the tournaments existence. The tournament will conclude on March 19^th with the final game being hosted by AT&T Park in San Francisco.

The 16 teams have been put into four groups of four. In the first round, each team will play one another in a round robin format.  The top two teams in each group will advance to the second round of play.  At that point, the survivors of the round robin portion will be placed in to Pool 1 and Pool 2. Furthermore, the teams that advance from Group A and B will be placed in in Pool 1 while the Group C and D survivors will be put into Pool 2.

At that point, both groups will change from a round robin format to a four-team double elimination format. Again, the top two from each pool will advance to the Semi Finals.

Here is how the four groups shake up.

Group A           Group B                     Group C                      Group D

Japan                 South Korea             Dominican Republic   USA

China               Chinese Taipei          Puerto Rico                Mexico

Brazil               Australia                    Venezuela                  Canada

Cuba                Netherlands               Spain                           Italy

Fukuoka          Taichung                   San Juan                      Phoenix

UOKA

Personally, I don’t think it’s a great idea to place a lot of rivals in the same group. For instance, this is the third time that Canada and the USA have been placed in the same group. I assume it is a money and revenue issue with the WBC. A good portion of Canadians call Arizona their second home during the winter, Therefore, it does make sense to put them in the Group where the games will be played at Chase Field.  Adding in Mexico that borders the United Sates, the potential is there for a few large crowds. It could be said for every group South Korea and Chinese Taipei are in Group B, Japan and China have been put in Group A. In Group C, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico were also put in the same group.

At first glance, all four groups seem quite completive. It is possible that all eight teams make it back to the second round. To me, Groups C and D seem like the most wide open. In Group C, Dominican Republic will come into the classic looking for redemption following their disappointing first round exit last year.  Venezuela will challenge them, along with the dangerous Puerto Ricans.

In Group D, the fight will be between Mexico, Canada and Italy likely playing for one berth with the assumption that USA wins all three games in the group.  Canada has had a roller coaster ride in the short history of the World Baseball Classic. Despite knocking off the Americans in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, Canada has yet to get out of the first round. 

 Canada has high hopes for the classic this year, meeting expectations would be getting to the second round. However, in a short tournament with not many games, anything is possible. 

Predictions:

1 Cuba

2 USA

3 Japan

4 South Korea

5 Puerto Rico

6 Dominican Republic

7 Mexico

8 Australia

9 Canada

10 Netherlands