Canada is now eliminated from this year’s WBC after losing its first two games to the Dominican Republic (9-2) and Colombia (4-1). However, the Canadians can still get some consolation in the form of qualification to the 2021 WBC if they beat the U.S. in their final pool game.
After 40-year-old Ryan Dempster got battered in their opener against the Dominicans, the Canadians got a much better performance from starting pitcher Nick Pivetta against Colombia. The 24-year-old Phillies pitcher lasted four innings and gave up just one run on five hits. But the Canadian bullpen was unable to keep it together as they gave up two runs in the next two innings after Pivetta exited.
The offense has been the bigger problem for the Canadians over the two games, though. They’ve scored just three runs on 11 hits and have yet to hit a single homer. The Canadians have yet to declare their starting pitcher, but with the team’s lack of run support, whoever starts will be under immense pressure to pitch perfectly against a prolific American lineup.
The U.S. team squandered a terrific chance to secure qualification to the second round of the World Baseball Classic after they blew a two-run lead in the 8th inning against the Dominican Republic and lost, 7-5. The usually reliable Andrew Miller gave up four runs in just 0.2 innings, including two home runs.
The American starters have done well thus far in the tournament; it’s the bullpen that’s been shaky. Chris Archer went 4 scoreless innings in their 3-2 win against Colombia, but reliever Mychal Givens immediately gave up two runs in relief of Archer. Meanwhile, Stroman went 4.2 scoreless innings, only for Tanner Roark to give up 3 runs in 1.1 innings in relief, and was later followed by Miller’s implosion.
Danny Duffy will get the start for the Americans, although he will be playing with a heavy heart as he faces the home country of his recently-deceased Royals teammate Yordano Ventura. If he falters, though, the U.S. should have enough offense in its lineup to overwhelm a subpar Canadian pitching staff.
Writer’s Prediction
The US secures passage into the second round with a convincing 10-2 win.
