World Baseball Classic: Looking ahead
Having already defeated Cuba Wednesday, Netherlands will rest on its laurels Friday in anticipation of a Saturday opportunity to wrap up an advance to the next round against the winless hosts.
The Czech Republic opens its portion of the tournament Thursday night (Friday afternoon in Asia) against China at Tokyo Dome. At about the same time, Cuba will play for a third straight day against Panama, both teams trying to salvage their tournament status.
The favorites from Japan attempt to build on their opening success playing Korea, which will be in desperation mode following its upset loss to Australia. Italy will take the field a third time early Friday our time – late Friday in Taiwan – against the hosts from Chinese Taipei.
Tournament play will hit full steam on Saturday (see the schedule here) when play opens in the two Western Hemisphere-based brackets. The U.S. team will be among clubs making their debut Saturday, facing Great Britain at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Through Thursday games, Japan and Australia lead the Tokyo bracket 1-0, with China and Korea 0-1.
In Taipei, Netherlands is 2-0 and Italy 1-0. Panama sits at 1-1, Taipei 0-1 and Cuba 0-2.