2013 World Baseball Classic Format:
- First Round features four pools of four teams who will compete in a single round robin with the best two records advancing. Pools A, B, C, and D.
- Second Round has the eight remaining teams split into two four-team pools and is double elimination with the last two teams left in each pool advancing. Pool 1 is winners and runner-ups of Pools A and B. Pool 2 is winners and runner-ups of Pools C and D.
- Championship Round consists of the final four teams and is single elimination. The winner of Pool 1 faces the Pool 2 runner-up in the first semifinal and the winner of Pool 2 faces the Pool 1 runner-up in the second semifinal, with the two winners playing each other in the March 19th Championship Game.
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Brazil Austrailia Dominican Republic Canada
China Chinese Taipei Puerto Rico Italy
Cuba Netherlands Spain Mexico
Japan South Korea Venezuela USA
Schedule:
First Round: Pool A- March 2-6 in Japan, Pool B- March 2-5 in Taiwan, Pool C- March 7-10 in Puerto Rico, Pool D- March 7-10 in Arizona
Second Round: Pool - March 8-12 in Japan, Pool 2 - March 12-16 in Florida
Championship Round: Semifinal 1 on March 17, Semifinal 2 on March 18, Championship Game March 19 all at AT&T Park in San Francisco
Outlook:
Pool A
The two-time defending champion Japan looks to be a strong tournament favorite in Pool A despite not having a single MLB player on the team. Japan ,as always, has a strong pitching rotation and has an offense led by Shinnosuke Abe (catcher) and Hayato Sakamoto (shortstop) to back it up. Cuba looks to be a safe bet to advance as they return Frederich Cepeda and Yulieski Gourriel, two of their standouts from 2009. The amount of defected talent makes it hard to predict this team, but considering the competition they should be fine to at least make the second round. China is led by Twins' Triple A prospect Ray Chang, along with Delong Jia and Fujia Chu; all played on the 2009 team. The rest of China's roster has a lot of unexpierenced talent who will have trouble scoring runs again this time around. Brazil became this tournament's cinderella win they pulled of an upset of Panama to win Qualifier 3. They are a heavy underdog who are led by Paulo Orlando and Leonardo Reginatto, but the odds looked stacked against them in this group.
Pool B
The competition in this Pool is underrated. South Korea and Netherlands have been booked as the early and clear favorites to win the group, but don't turn your back on Chinese Taipei. South Korea are heavy favorites because they return a lot of offense from the 2009 team and are led by Seung Yuop Lee, who is their most-known player and has a massive array of power. Even though Shin-Soo Choo is not on the team this time around, I don't think he will leave a major void in the lineup. Hyunsoo Kim (outfielder) also is a returning leader who made the 2009 All-WBC team. The Netherlands lineup looks solid, sporting 11 major leaguers. The Dutch infield looks amazing with Jonathan Schoop at First, Xander Bogaerts at Second, and Andrelton Simmons at Shortstop. The outfield also looks to be in pretty good shape with Andruw Jones, Wladimir Balentien, and Roger Bernadina. The Dutch look like a comfortable bet to advance deep in this Classic. I think Chinese Taipei could be a darkhorse in this pool. In qualifying they won all three of their games outscoring opponents 35-0. Regardless of the talent they faced in qualifying being that dominant still says something. Che-Hsuan Lin (centerfielder) and Chien-Ming Chang will be the offensive leaders for this Taipei team, while well-known major leaguer Chien-Ming Wang will be the ace of the pitching staff. If the rest of Taipei's rotation can hold up verse the powerful Dutch and Korean lineups look for Taipei to sneak out of this pool. Australia looks to be overmatched in this group, but upsets can happen. The Aussies have their fair share of former MLB and current minor league talent, which is headlined by Chris Snelling, Justin Huber, and James Beresford. Pirate-prospect Stefan Welch and Brewer-prospect Mike Walker will both have to step up big for any hope of success.
Pool C
You feel bad for Spain who won their qualifier to be placed in a pool with Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Venezuela is clearly a tournament favorite and should be with a lineup of 19 major/minor leaguers and depth in pitching and offense. Their outfield is filled with Martin Prado, Carlos Gonzalez, and Gerardo Parra. The infield is even better with Miguel Cabrera, Elvis Andrus, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Pablo Sandoval. Miguel Montero is the main man behind the plate, Omar Infante and Marco Scutaro headline the bench. Anibal Sanchez will lead the pitching staff, do I need say more? The Domincan Republic is one of two teams with an all-MLB roster. The Domincans are equally loaded with talent and are also tournament favorites. The infield consists of Hanley Ramirez at Third, Jose Reyes at Shortstop, Robinson Cano at Second, and Edwin Encarnacion at First. Nelson Cruz headlines a unknown-Outfield and Carlos Santana is the catcher. Wandy Rodriguez and Edinson Volquez will look to bolster the starting rotation and start a drive to the title. Puerto Rico is no slouch and can realistically advance out of the group. The strength of the Puerto Rico will be its outfield of Carlos Beltran, Andres Torres, Angel Pagan, and Alex Rios. Yadier Molina will start at catcher and Mike Aviles is the big-name of the infield. Their lack of depth in the infield and the pitching staff might prevent this team from advancing. Spain is led by the Rangers' Engel Beltre, but only have seven others with any form of major/minor league experience. The lack of experience and depth plus being in the most powerful group of the first round gives Spain next to no chance of moving on, at least they got to experince the joy of winning a qualifier.
Pool D
The Americans group comes last, but not least. USA is paired with Canada, Mexico, and Italy in this pool. Italy looks to be the low dog of the group. The Italians are led by Cubs' First baseman Anthony Rizzo, and outfielders Nick Punto (Dodgers) and Chris Denorfia (Padres). Italy appears to be overmatched with their talent-loaded counterparts in the pool. Adrian Gonzalez and Jorge Cantu lead an underrated Mexico squad, who I think can surprise and advance out of this group. USA and Canada are the two heavy favorites in this group, and they should be. Canada is led by an all-star cast of infielders: Joey Votto, Brett Lawrie, and Justin Morneau. Canada has talent spread throughout its team and look for Tyson Gillies to be a x-factor. The Americans post an all-MLB roster who is filled with talent from top to bottom. The outfield consists of Adam Jones, Ryan Braun, Shane Victorino, and Giancarlo Stanton. The infield is just as all-star savy with Mark Teixeira, Brandon Phillips, Jimmy Rollins, and David Wright. Joe Mauer will catch a pitching staff led by R.A. Dickey and Gio Gonzalez. Don't count out Mexico, but USA and Canada look to have a clear advantage.
Predictions
Japan wins Pool A and Cuba is the runner-up. The Netherlands wins Pool B and Chinese Taipei surprises as the runner-up. Venezuela wins Pool C and the Dominican Republic is the runner-up. The USA wins Pool D and Canada is the runner-up.
The final four will be Japan, Netherlands, Venezuela, and Dominican Republic. It is easier to list like this because the second round is double elimination.
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