Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. World Baseball Classic exits pool stage:
Yesterday, the WBC wrapped up its pool stage as the eight teams advancing to the next round were finalized. The biggest wins of yesterday’s games were Aaron Nola and Team Italy’s victory over Javier Assad and Team Mexico, as well as Cal Quantrill and Team Canada’s victories over Team Cuba. Canada (3-1) and Puerto Rico (3-1) made it out of Pool A, while Italy (4-0) and the United States (3-1) are the victors in Pool B. Japan (4-0) and Korea (2-2) made it through Pool C, and Pool D saw the Dominican Republic (4-0) and Venezuela (3-1) emerge. Those eight teams are now set to travel to the continental United States (if they weren’t already here) for the quarterfinals and beyond, which will take place in Houston and Miami. While the quarterfinalists travel and prepare for the next round, no games are on the schedule for today. The knockout round begins on Friday with Korea facing the Dominican Republic and Canada squaring off against the United States.
2. Brewers await news on Priester:
Brewers righty Quinn Priester is poised to start the year on the injured list due to soreness in his wrist. The righty reportedly went to visit a specialist yesterday, and the feedback from that visit could shed some light on the injury for Milwaukee and provide them with a more specific diagnosis. While the soreness has been intermittent and hasn’t stopped him from playing catch this spring, ruling out a more significant injury could give Priester and the club some confidence as he builds up towards his return to the big league mound. Kyle Harrison, Brandon Sproat, Chad Patrick, and Logan Henderson are all vying for spots in the rotation, with only Brandon Woodruff and Jacob Misiorowski locked into spots come Opening Day with Priester headed for the IL.
3. Game Preview: Tigers vs Yankees:
While the World Baseball Classic is on hold for the day, attention turns back towards Spring Training for fans looking to follow baseball today. Spring Training games are much lower-stakes, but there are still some things worth watching for clubs nonetheless. In today’s game between the Yankees and Tigers, for example, future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander will simply be getting his work in ahead of his 21st year in the big leagues. Even so, he’d surely like to turn in a stronger performance than he did in his first outing of the spring, where he struck out four in two innings but also allowed two runs on two hits (including one homer) and two walks. He’ll be pitching today opposite Will Warren, who will spend both Spring Training and the early part of the regular season looking to earn a more permanent spot in the rotation with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon expected back from the injured list during the first couple months of the season. On the positional side of things, Ryan McMahon has been trying his hand at shortstop throughout camp for the Yankees, while top Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle has been trying to force his way onto the MLB roster.
Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic?
Spiders!
No because I don’t have a basement and I don’t go to my attic!
Enjoy
Only when I’m watching, Prognosis Negative 🤣
Tiger Kevin McGonigle is the real deal and there’s just no way he doesn’t make the opening day roster, barring a major collapse over the next couple of weeks.
I hope so I have him on one of my fantasy teams! 😀
Ima believer! So he pushes Baez off SS and Baez moves to center ? How does Keith not have a spot in this lineup ? Surely he’s ready to breakout this season….tigers rotation and pen is sick ! They are going to run away with the Central this season. A futures lock for my gambling friends lol
I believe Keith is going to be their primary 3rd baseman with McKinstry a super utility player. Baez and Meadows should split time at Center but you know how Hinch likes to move players around and sub out to get the platoon advantage.
How do you know he’s the real deal – based on spring training results? Small sample size plus going against pitchers just getting ramped up and many not even going to make their team’s rotation. Look, I’m not saying that he isn’t good or ready for mlb. I’m just saying you can’t possibly know for sure at this point.
If they’re going to continue this clown shown known as the WBC, they should at least rotate the championship sites to different countries.
I can’t believe there are still detractors of the WBC.
You’re really missing out.
Im not necessarily a detractor, I just don’t think it’s an accurate representation. I’d like to see it as a permanent, metaled, Olympic sport. (With or without MLBers, although my preference is with)
Professional sports isn’t corrupt enough with gambling entering every facet. Partnering with the IOC could definitely speed up that process.
What for ? They are going to play the games where they can make the most money which excludes any Central American country. Then how are all of those teams going to afford to send their players to japen to compete ?
And why hate on meaningful baseball in March lol
You’re crazy if you don’t think these games would sell out in Asia, Mexico, the DR, and Canada if they stick with Toronto. They might as well call it the United States baseball classic. I’m surprised they haven’t considering they still call it the World Series when there’s only two countries ever involved.
I’m not buying your argument that certain teams are too poor to fly. Nonsense.
So when the Olympics are held in Italy, as they just were, how is that not a single country? By your definition we should have called it the Italian Olympics.
If the Olympics were played in Italy every time, then they should be but wait for it
….. they rotate the Olympics every four years.
Arguing for the sake of arguing is just weird
I think theCervelli/Posada tandem is ripe for the Yankees picking, post-Boone. They have the drive, the desire to win, the experience…… Let’s go!