World Baseball Classic

[JTZ]

That is the greatest.

There is no praying in baseball. 

[Yehuda57]

There is no praying in baseball. 

I thought that was crying.

Either way, they're not praying, they're just reading a story

[Redbull3]

Japan beating Netherlands was good. Now we just gotta beat Netherlands again and we are going to LA for the final 4. Nutso!

[BP16]

Japan beating Netherlands was good. Now we just gotta beat Netherlands again and we are going to LA for the final 4. Nutso!

Not so sure. What if Cuba beats Japan and then Netherlands? And Israel beats Netherland and looses to Japan? That's makes Israel and Cuba 2-1

[Redbull3]

Not so sure. What if Cuba beats Japan and then Netherlands? And Israel beats Netherland and looses to Japan? That's makes Israel and Cuba 2-1

Yeah I was discounting that possibility but in the event of 3 2-1 teams (or 3 1-2 teams) these are the tiebreakers used:

• The first tiebreaker considers each team's runs allowed per inning of defense played (including partial innings), only in games against the other two teams that are tied. In other words, if the U.S. ends up tied with Colombia and Canada at 1-2, its two runs allowed in 10 innings in its win over Colombia would count, but its seven runs allowed to the D.R. would not.

• If necessary, the second tiebreaker is the same as the first, except only earned runs are counted.

• If there is still a tie, the relevant teams then would be ranked in order of highest batting average -- again considering only contests played against each other.

• Finally, the last resort would be a drawing of lots, conducted by World Baseball Classic, Inc.

[Redbull3]

So it's key to keep runs allowed down. So 4-1 win is extra huge.

[A3]

So much for that. Can they beat Japan?

[Amusch]

I've heard of SI and Maddon curse. Is there a DDMS curse? 7-0 before the post, 0-1 since...

[zh cohen]

I've heard of SI and Maddon curse. Is there a DDMS curse? 7-0 before the post, 0-1 since...

DDMS has killed lots of deals...

[JTZ]

DDMS has killed lots of deals...

"I guess the only question is how many Starpoints will it cost to throw out the first pitch of the World Baseball Classic’s championship game between Israel and the United States 😀"

The same as it will be this year to throw out the first pitch of the World Series between the Cubs and Indians. 

[Redbull3]

Cuba beating Japan 4-2 in the 5th. If score holds all 4 teams would be 1-1, and Israel controls their own fate (beating Japan would knock them out and the other game is Netherlands-Cuba where one of them would also have to lose their second game). Loooong way to go though.

[JTZ]

Would love to see them win just for all of you. Not sure in anyone else is interested in this from the US.

[jj1000]

Would love to see them win just for all of you. Not sure in anyone else is interested in this from the US.

Doesn't seem so. Probably because very few MLB players participate. Probably wouldn't be even close to a contest if they did...

[BP16]

Cuba beating Japan 4-2 in the 5th. If score holds all 4 teams would be 1-1, and Israel controls their own fate (beating Japan would knock them out and the other game is Netherlands-Cuba where one of them would also have to lose their second game). Loooong way to go though.

So now that Japan won. Cuba has to beet Netherland, and Israel Japan

[SrulyS]

So now that Japan won. Cuba has to beet Netherland, and Israel Japan

If Israel loses but Cuba wins Israel should still have a chance to make the tiebreaker, no?

Right now Israel gave up the most runs but depending on the outcome of the final two games that may change.

The three-way tiebreaker calls for the two teams with the lower runs allowed per defensive inning play a head-to-head tiebreaker game while the other is eliminated.

[Redbull3]

If Israel wins there will be a 3-way tie breaker with Japan and whoever wins Cuba/Netherlands. They need not only win but run up the score if they can or hope for like a 12-10 win by whoever wins the other game.

EAT ^This is totally wrong. SrulyS nailed the scenarios below.

[Redbull3]

Mexico was knocked out of round 1 because of the 3 1-2 teams, they allowed most runs. They were pissed because they didn't understand the rules and were "told" otherwise. Check Adrian Gonzalez tweet. They won their last game 11-9.

[Redbull3]

Would love to see them win just for all of you. Not sure in anyone else is interested in this from the US.

The players are. The passion is incredible if you have been watching any of these games. Many stars sat out, but the ones that did play, really seem to want to win. It's been a ton of fun to watch (not just the Israel games).

[Redbull3]

Runs allowed per defensive inning, so far:

1. Netherlands (10 runs/19 innings = 0.53)
2. Japan (11 runs/20ip = 0.55)
3. Cuba (12 runs/16ip = 0.75)
4. Israel (13 runs/17ip = 0.76)

[SrulyS]

If Israel wins there will be a 3-way tie breaker with Japan and whoever wins Cuba/Netherlands. They need not only win but run up the score if they can or hope for like a 12-10 win by whoever wins the other game.

Cuba is 0-2 so if Israel wins and Cuba wins there is no tiebreaker.
If Israel wins and Netherlands win there will be a tiebreaker between Japan, Netherlands and Israel.
If Israel loses and Netherlands loses there will be a tiebreaker between Cuba, Netherlands and Israel.

They want to score alot but not allow Japan to score too many runs.