World Baseball Classic.

[Natsinpwc]

Nice swing by the new BoSox.

[Slateman]

Joey bringing that Nationals Baserunning to the WBC

[Dave in Fairfax]

Banzai!

[imref]

Wow

[Dave in Fairfax]

Ohtani was already answering some questions even before the translator did his part; he definitely understands more English than he's perhaps comfortable speaking.

[English Natsie]

Inscrutable as ever....

https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/news/listen-to-japanese-call-of-japan-classic-walk-off-win

[Natsinpwc]

Went to sleep when Mexico went up 4-3. Sounds like quite the ending. I look forward to the pitch clock and faster games.

[imref]

two observations:
- Unless his arm falls off, Sasaki is goinig to get paid when he decides to come to the US. I heard one person refer to him last night as "if Edwin Diaz became a starter" (presumably without the knee injury)
- I want to hope Jarlin Susana is the next Sasaki

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Kristi Yamaguchi?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamon_Yamaguchi

He was supposed to be their best carrier admiral and the successor to Yamamoto. Commanded the Hiryu/Soryu division of the fleet carrier battle group. Decided to go down with the Hiryu rather than evacuate.

[imref]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamon_Yamaguchi

He was supposed to be their best carrier admiral and the successor to Yamamoto. Commanded the Hiryu/Soryu division of the fleet carrier battle group. Decided to go down with the Hiryu rather than evacuate.

So in the USA-Japan final can we expect Japan to unexpectedly score a lot of runs in the first only to be overwhelmed in an eventual rout as we score late, with a couple of grand slams in the 9th?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

two observations:
- Unless his arm falls off, Sasaki is goinig to get paid when he decides to come to the US. I heard one person refer to him last night as "if Edwin Diaz became a starter" (presumably without the knee injury)
- I want to hope Jarlin Susana is the next Sasaki

Murakami is supposed to be a stud too. They have some nice young talent.

Tonight it is Yu with Ohtani in relief, I guess. US goes with who?  I hope not Nick Martinez, but it is too soon for Lynn.

[Natsinpwc]

Yamamoto looks good also and can be posted this off-season I believe.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So in the USA-Japan final can we expect Japan to unexpectedly score a lot of runs in the first only to be overwhelmed in an eventual rout as we score late, with a couple of grand slams in the 9th?

I'll go further.  The decisive turning point will be when, in the middle innings, Japan has the bases full, no outs, with Ohtani - Yoshida - Murakami coming up, and the US not only wiggles out of it but then Turner -Mookie -Trout go back to back to back the next half inning to grab a lead that the US never relinquishes.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It's Imanaga (LHP) not Darvish. Good stats last year in Japan.  For the US, it's Merrill Kelly (RHP) of the D-backs. That alone makes the match up look more like Midway or maybe Leyte Gulf. You'd think some f'ng arm in FLA would come over for a few innings.

[imref]

I'll go further.  The decisive turning point will be when, in the middle innings, Japan has the bases full, no outs, with Ohtani - Yoshida - Murakami coming up, and the US not only wiggles out of it but then Turner -Mookie -Trout go back to back to back the next half inning to grab a lead that the US never relinquishes.

the US would have to decode their signs as well.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

the US would have to decode their signs as well.

that's why they have Kyle Tucker and Mookie on the team.

[Slateman]

Guess dropping nukes in the Japanese has a different context here

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Guess dropping nukes in the Japanese has a different context here

would kind of be a bummer for anyone who played for the Hiroshima Carps.

[Natsinpwc]

Inscrutable as ever....

https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/news/listen-to-japanese-call-of-japan-classic-walk-off-win

Oh the excitement. Their biggest walk off since Pearl Harbor. We watch Sumo and you knows those guys want to scream or yell but they almost never show any emotion.

[NatNasty]

Boom!

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

They should’ve paid Turner.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They should’ve paid Turner.

there is not a team that shouldn't have paid Turner.
Meanwhile,  Merrill Kelly

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Trea swinging like he thinks he is a power hitter.

[Five Banners]

Trea swinging like he thinks he is a power hitter.

We’ll see if they stay in the fight

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Schwarber! Let's go phillies ... inthis context