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Israel’s World Baseball Classic dream ends while Japan advances
Wednesday’s World Baseball Classic includes the end of the line for Team Israel, Puerto Rico getting a leg up on their pool, and a Javier Baez special.
Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images
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Just making the World Baseball Classic tournament was an accomplishment for Israel. That’s not to be condescending to the team or country at all: it’s just that baseball in the country is still in the early stages of development, and the roster was filled out by American minor-league and role players. Despite this, Israel qualified for the main WBC tournament by winning their fourth of a smaller tournament a year ago, then they advanced to the second round after going undefeated in Pool A action. Now their journey is at an end following an 8-3 loss to Japan that gave them a 1-2 record, but the tournament has given Israel hope for 2021.
Israel doesn’t need to win entry into the next World Baseball Classic, as their standing in the first round granted them automatic qualification. Colombia and Australia, two of the other three teams who had to win entry via a qualifying tournament, also managed this feat, but did so with 1-2 records in round one whereas Israel managed to advance and win a second-round game before their exit.
Meanwhile, Japan went 3-0 in first-round play and repeated that record in round two, earning them a spot in the semifinals. The Netherlands, with their defeat and elimination of Cuba on Tuesday night, will join Japan in the semifinals to take on the winner of Pool F, which to this point is only one game into their proceedings. The semifinals, part of the World Baseball Classic’s Championship Round, will begin on March 20 in Los Angeles.
- Javier Baez is a joy to watch, especially when he’s making a tag as he did in Tuesday’s Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic WBC showdown. You can watch the full play here the same way Baez himself will need to see it.
- Japan’s Yoshitomo Tsutsugo hit a solo shot in the sixth inning to break what had been a scoreless game with Israel. It opened the floodgates, too, as Japan would score four more runs in the frame.
- Carlos Correa has some insight into what’s wrong with baseball, the sport that he plays and loves.
- Puerto Rico upset the Dominican Republic in their round-two matchup, and now they have a leg up on the rest of their pool given everyone else still has to play both teams.
- Speaking of, Jose Altuve and Venezuela are facing off against Team USA Wednesday night.
- Manny Ramirez’s baseball contract in Japan provides him with “unlimited sushi,” and yet there are writers who didn’t vote him into the Hall of Fame.
- David Ross will dance to “Go Cubs Go” on Dancing with the Stars.
- The Rockies lined up for a Pi Day photo and it is very good.
- Do Yankees’ hitters have the most upside of anyone in the AL East?
- The Rays are close to a contract extension with defensive standout Kevin Kiermaier.
- Someone got a Ned Yost tattoo and it is worse than you are even imagining it to be.
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