PHOENIX — A must-win state of affairs arrived early for the United States within the World Baseball Classic.
A loss to Mexico on Sunday evening in entrance of a capability crowd at Chase Field places the US in a precarious place. Another loss, and Canada can take a commanding lead in Pool C play with a win over their neighbors to the south.
The Americans are 1-1 following the 11-5 loss to Mexico. The Canadians are 1-0 after their 18-8 mercy-rule victory Sunday in seven innings over Great Britain.
“The U.S. team, on paper they’re pretty sound,” Canada supervisor Ernie Whitt stated. “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 shortened recreation between Canada and Great Britain lasted 3 hours and 38 minutes.
A complete of 13 pitchers for each groups threw 356 pitches with solely about half of them (189) for strikes.
Canada’s 18 runs tied the World Baseball Classic file that was set by Japan towards China in 2006. Canada had 17 hits and 16 walks.
“The boys kept the rally going today,” stated Tyler O’Neill, who had 4 hits, together with a three-run double. “A lot of good at-bats out there. A lot of walks. It was really fun to watch.”
Canada will begin left-hander Matt Bratt towards the U.S. He is among the high prospects within the Texas Rangers’ group.
The U.S. will begin veteran right-hander Lance Lynn, who’s in his twelfth season within the main leagues and getting into his third with the Chicago White Sox.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Lynn stated when requested about beginning Monday’s recreation. “I’m wanting ahead to the environment. It needs to be enjoyable.
“Obviously here it’s a little bit more intense earlier in the year, because spring training games don’t bring that.”
The U.S. will attempt to bounce again from Sunday’s loss to Mexico through which eight pitchers allowed a mixed 15 hits.
The Americans’ high 4 batters within the lineup — Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado — went a mixed 2-for-14 towards Mexico.
Betts is 1-for-10 and Trout 1-for-6 within the first two video games.
“No one in here has to impress anybody,” U.S. supervisor Mark DeRosa stated. “I feel generally if you get all these nice gamers in a single room, everybody’s attempting to nonetheless really feel out who’s the alpha within the room. There’s a ton of them.
“We just need more settled ABs (at-bats).”
–Field Level Media