World Baseball Classic Odds: Semifinals
Written March 21, 2009 by Jack Jones
Even with a rash of injuries on Team USA, they have made it through to the Semifinals of the World Baseball Classic. There are only four teams left with the action getting started on Saturday night at 9 PM EST when Korea takes on Venezuela followed by Sunday’s 8 PM EST start on the Japan v. USA game. The winners will square off on Monday night in the championship game.
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It’s been a tough tournament for Team USA, who has had to struggle with an injuried roster. The team will be without Kevin Youkilis (ankle) and Dustin Pedroia (oblique) from the Red Sox, Matt Lindstrom (rotator cuff) from the Marlins, and Chipper Jones (obilique) off of the Braves. With Ryan Braun of Milwaukee battling through a rib cage injury and the Mets’ David Wright taking a ball off his big toe, Team USA added a third basemen in Evan Longoria of the Rays.
The addition of Longoria is nice, but the team wanted to get Derrek Lee of the Cubs. Right now the team has Adam Dunn playing first, and while he has immense power he strikes out a lot and is a potential liability in the field.
The problem for Team USA so far in the tournament has been their pitching. San Diego’s Jake Peavy will take the hill as the starter but last time out he gave up six runs in two innings as Puerto Rico pounded the US Team last Saturday in a game they lost by invoking the Mercy Rule, 11-1. Team USA got their revenge against Puerto Rico on Tuesday when they scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to come back from the bring of elimination and oust their island neighbors to the South.
It’s going to be tough to see the Americans win this tournament, simply because of their injuries and their pitching woes. Korea, Japan, and Venezuela all are healthier and seem to be taking this more seriously than their American counterparts. The Venezuelan team is particularly dangerous as they went 3-0 last round and can out hit anyone. Japan and Korea have both relied on pitching, with Japan coming into this round with a team ERA of 1.20.
Make your baseball picks for the next round and bet the action at Sportsbook.com. Venezuela is a -140 favorite over Korea (+120) while Japan is a slight -115 favorite over USA (-105).
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- 2009 World Baseball Classic Picks & Odds
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