Team USA was in a precarious position, needing help to advance to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. The easiest way to advance and avoid a complicated tiebreaker was for Italy to beat Mexico, and the Italians obliged, winning in a rout, 9-1. Vinnie Pasquentino hit three solo home runs to power the Italians to a 4-0 Group Round record. Some obscure Italian pitcher named Aaron Nola threw five shutout innings.
The quarterfinals are now set:
Friday • Korea vs. Dominican Republic, 6:30 p.m. ET, loanDepot Park • USA vs. Canada, 8 p.m. ET, Daikin Park
Saturday • Puerto Rico vs. Italy, 3 p.m. ET, Daikin Park • Venezuela vs. Japan, 9 p.m., loanDepot Park
My take: Powerhouse Italy joined the Dominican Republic and Japan as the undefeated teams. Single elimination now. Whatever. Italy has been the only interesting story of the WBC, and the Dominican's offensive juggernaut.
THE ASYLUM
Amore for Team USA
Team USA was in a precarious position, needing help to advance to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. The easiest way to advance and avoid a complicated tiebreaker was for Italy to beat Mexico, and the Italians obliged, winning in a rout, 9-1. Vinnie Pasquentino hit three solo home runs to power the Italians to a 4-0 Group Round record. Some obscure Italian pitcher named Aaron Nola threw five shutout innings.
The quarterfinals are now set:
Friday
• Korea vs. Dominican Republic, 6:30 p.m. ET, loanDepot Park
• USA vs. Canada, 8 p.m. ET, Daikin Park
Saturday
• Puerto Rico vs. Italy, 3 p.m. ET, Daikin Park
• Venezuela vs. Japan, 9 p.m., loanDepot Park
My take: Powerhouse Italy joined the Dominican Republic and Japan as the undefeated teams. Single elimination now. Whatever. Italy has been the only interesting story of the WBC, and the Dominican's offensive juggernaut.
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