Japan vs Cuba

[Cubano100%]

To be honest with you guys, Japan has more lives than a cat and they can smell victory too. They have two good pitchers going for them and I Matsuzaka beat us in Athens already. Japan has taken good players to International tournaments since the professionals were allowed to compete in such tournaments. They have not been able to win yet but who knows. The probabilities are in Japan's favor just like it was almost impossible for Korea to beat Japan three times in a raw.

Cuba must be exausted after playing against P. R. in their ball park in addition of beating Venzuela and D. R. who were two pre-tournament favorites. Hopefully, Cuba has something in the tank left on monday.


Athens 2004

JAPAN 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 6 12 2
CUBA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 7 2

W: MATSUZAKA, DAISUKE
L: ODELIN, VICYOHANDRI


Sydney 2000

Qualifying round:
CUBA 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 6 13 1
JAPAN 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 0
W:VALLE, LAZARO
L:WATANABE, SHUNSURE


Semis:
JAPAN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
CUBA 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 X 3 9 1
W: CONTRERAS, JOSE
L:KUROKI, TOMOHIRO


Barcelona 1992

CUBA 0 0 4 0 0 2 2 0 0 8 15 1
JAPAN 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 5 1
W: DIAZ, GIORGE
L: WATANABE, KATSUMI

[google]

should be a good game

[Perseas]

I was in the stadium for the Athens game Cubano is talking about. It was tight but Cuba came through. Don't forget that in the Athens Olympics, the japanese squad did not look much different from the one in this Classic. I think the Japanese are underachievers in my opinion, and the Cubans have more heart in them. I will be pulling for Cuba, but the pitching matchups will play the most significant part.

Gongrats to both and I hope we see a final worthy of the Classic, because it's been a CLASSIC so far...

[Edgartohof]

Gongrats to both and I hope we see a final worthy of the Classic, because it's been a CLASSIC so far...

My sentiments exactly!!!

[efin98]

Whoever wins deserves praise worldwide.
Whoever loses deserves applause for their effort.

Nothing less is an insult to those teams.

Here's to a game worthy of being talked about for generations to come!

[Cubano100%]

Morales rooting for Team Cuba
Angels prospect represented former country before defecting

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060319&content_id=1356248&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

[trosmok]

Tonight's game will showcase the best

I'm pulling for team Cuba, Japan is quite a formidable opponent, and either way it turns out I will be glued to the screen until the wee hours. First I need to run out for some premium Nihonshu, and dust off the bottle of Legendario rum I've been saving since my brother brought it back for me from Italy. (still can't get it here, yet.)

When the WBC teams were first announced I was quite excited, and then very upset when the US govt. tried to block Cuba's participation. I think the cold war mentality is detrimental to both of our sovereign states, and interferes with something as positive as this exhibition tournament. Just making the finals I believe vindicates my stand that team Cuba has as much talent and competetive spirit as any team, MLB, international and all. Team Japan is easily the best team from their pool; their discipline, drive, and sound fundamentals are why they are in the finals. Best of luck to both!

[ElVenado]

In my heart, as a latino, I wish Cuba won the title. BUT... Taking it from the economic side... do you think if Japan wons the title, will Japanese big companies (just name it) put attention on this tournament and they will be sponsporing it the next time?
Just look at soccer (I know I shouldn't but business is business and soccer is a great bu$ine$$) and its "Copa Nissan Sudamericana" (Southamerican Nissan Cup) and "Copa Toyota Libertadores de América" (Liberators of America Toyota Cup) and many other examples... Even here in México, baseball season is sponsored by a paint brand (named COMEX) and every finishing inning the comentators are to say "this is COMEX 2005 Mexican Baseball League season; the score so far is..."
That's, of course, just from the economics side... hehe :P

good luck to Cuba :gt

[cuban_aficionado]

Is going to be a good game that is for sure!!!

WHAO WHAT GAME WE ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course I want Cuba to win!!! Japan has a quality team but my heart is with the CUBAN Team!!!! They deserve it for all their efort and hard work, GO CUBA!!!!!!


:gt

[FlashGordon]

The infamous Dan Shaughnessey of the Boston Globe wrote an article in today's paper officially endorsing Cuba in tonight's matchup.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...a_wbc_victory/

The cynical Shaughnessey is surprisingly upbeat about the Cuban team, but you can see in the article that their style and love of the game have captured his heart on this one.

If Cuba wins it, I'm going to drink a Cuba Libre!

[Perseas]

Well, we 're only in the middle of the 1st inning and Japan is up 4-0. Cuba has already used Romero and Odelin on the mound and the final out was made by GOnzalez. Let's see if Cuba can fight back...

[Agente Libre]

Velez is a moron. Romero is about the 30th-best pitcher in Cuba. Why not start Odelin, or one of the Gonzalez's, or Suarez, or Folch?

Very stupid.

[J W]

Hey guys... I'm not too knowledgable with regards to international baseball, but I am catching some of these WBC games... what's the skinny on the starting pitcher for Japan, Matsuzaka? He looks VERY good, and according to what you say he's already beaten the Cuban team. Joe Morgan states he's looking to get out of his current contract and join the Major Leagues.

I can't say I had a favorite (even the US team) but I have enjoyed the games very much.

[Perseas]

Another pitching change for Cuba on the top of the 5th, and it seems that Japanese hitters have the Cuban pitchers' numbers, while Matsuzaka has put cruise control on his 94-96 mph fastball... I hope the Cubans fight back, it's 5-1 now and things are not looking good for the Cubans...

[Perseas]

Bottom of the 8th and Cepeda has just blasted a 2-run homer to left center and it's a one-run game.... 6-5. What a final!!! Worthy of the Classic....