U.S.A faces Canada in win or bust game
Highlight: World baseball clasic 2023 USA versus Mexico
By Edwin Emeanua
Team U.S.A faces a remarkable quadry early on in the World baseball clasic series following their loss to Mexico on Sunday night in front of a capacity crowd at the Arizona Diamondback Chase Field arena.
The US must now navigate a precarious position as another loss presents Canada with the chance for an insurmountable lead in Pool C should the Canadians emerge victoriuos over their southern neighbors.
The 11-5 loss to Mexico leaves US on 1-1 handing the advantage to the Canadians who are 1-0 following their mercy-rule 18-8 victory on Sunday in seven innings against Great Britain.
“on paper, the U.S. team, they’re pretty sound,” Canada manager Ernie Whitt said on Sunday night after their game against Great Britain.
“We’ll know more about them (Monday). But right now, we’re celebrating this win (over Great Britain), and we’ll take it one day at a time.”
The abridged encounter between involving the Canadians and Great Britain endured 3 hours and 38 minutes with an overall of 13 pitchers for both teams throwing 356 pitches with only about half of them (189) landing on target.
The Canadians posted 18 runs in the tie to equal the World Baseball Classic record set by Japan against China in 2006. Canada also scored 17 hits and 16 walks on the night.
“The boys kept the rally going today,” said Tyler O’Neill, who made four hits, plus a three-run double.
“A lot of good at-bats out there. A lot of walks. It was really fun to watch.”
Canada plans to let loose Matt Bratt right from the beginning against the U.S. Team Canada’s left-hander is among the top posibilities in the Texas Rangers set up.
The U.S. hopes to start right-hander Lance Lynn, a 12 season veteran in the major leagues, now in his third at Chicago White Sox.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Lynn said when pressed for words about starting Monday’s game.
“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere. It should be fun.
“Obviously here it’s a little bit more intense earlier in the year, because spring training games don’t bring that.”
The U.S. plans to re-emerge from Sunday’s defeat by Mexico in which eight pitchers permitted a meld of 15 hits.
The US’ top four batters in the lineup — Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado — went a combined 2-for-14 against Mexico.
Betts is 1-for-10 and Trout 1-for-6 in the first two games.
“No one in here has to impress anybody,” U.S. manager Mark DeRosa said.
“I think sometimes when you get all these great players in one room, everyone’s trying to still feel out who is the alpha in the room. There’s a ton of them.
“We just need more settled ABs (at-bats).”
