WBC Semifinals Game Thread: Japan (Matsuzaka) v. USA (Oswalt)

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1-1 in the bottom of the 5th. Looks like there's a really good crowd in LA to see Korea vs. Japan.

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Seriously, what is there not to like about Ichiro? He just laid down a picture perfect bunt base hit at a crucial time. He's constantly a tough out, he's a killer once he's on base and he's great in the field. He really is the catalyst of the Japanese team and makes them very formidable indeed.

 

This is a guy who has a career average of .331, averaging 228 H over 162 MLB Games. In 8 seasons the least # of games he's played is 157. Over the past 5 years he's played in 161, 162, 161, 161, and 162 games respectively. He should be a 1st ballot HOF in my opinion.

[CrespoBlows]

This is a good game.

 

Looks like Oh's decision to use Darvish will pay off.

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Wow.

 

That Korean 2B is flashing some leather. He turned a beautiful double play with runners on the corner.

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Awesome slider for the first out.

 

Promptly walks the next hitter. Kim is due up. Two straight walks for Darvish.

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What a game.

[CrespoBlows]

This crowd is really into the game.

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Choo K's. Great pitch.

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Tie game!! Holy crap!!

[CrespoBlows]

Wow.

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This is a good game.

 

Looks like Oh's decision to use Darvish will pay off.

Oh's not making any decisions, he's sitting in the stands.

 

But yes, this is turning out to be a great game. I hope it doesnt go too far into extra innings because I intend on watching every last pitch, but I need to get up early. I definitely hope it doesn't go to the 13th because I would be disgusted with seeing that ridiculous international extra innings rule where you start the inning with runners on 1st and 2nd, and I think you may even be able to choose any batter in the order to start the inning, I know that's how it was in the Olympics, not sure about WBC.

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This crowd is really into the game.

Asian crowds go crazy during games, it's something else that's for sure. I'd love to see that enthusiasm here in the States.

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Joe Morgan is even analyzing how they play their positions differently in the OF with RISP. Subtle differences in strategy but they seem significant.

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Let's see whether Ichiro hits the ball hard here or not. He usually does.

[yeszir]

My Korean friend is going crazy right now

[CrespoBlows]

Oh's not making any decisions, he's sitting in the stands.

 

But yes, this is turning out to be a great game. I hope it doesnt go too far into extra innings because I intend on watching every last pitch, but I need to get up early. I definitely hope it doesn't go to the 13th because I would be disgusted with seeing that ridiculous international extra innings rule where you start the inning with runners on 1st and 2nd, and I think you may even be able to choose any batter in the order to start the inning, I know that's how it was in the Olympics, not sure about WBC.

 

Who is the manager for Japan?

 

Something random I just thought about, but anyone else think that they should play some of these games at Fenway or Yankee Stadium?

[msubulldogs21]

For some reason seeing that Korean guy in the stands chanting "Ichiro sucks! Ichiro sucks!" really gave me a laugh.

 

And there you go. Ichiro delivers. You've gotta wonder why they even gave him a chance.

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Who is the manager for Japan?

 

Something random I just thought about, but anyone else think that they should play some of these games at Fenway or Yankee Stadium?

 

Of course they should, but most Red Sox fans (here at least) and most baseball fans think this is a stupid tournament and don't want to have it at a time of year that would be conducive to Boston or NY participating.

 

Ichiro comes through again. I'll say it again, he's an amazing baseball player.

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Just throw an uncontested steal of 3rd in there for the hell of it.

[Keeper]

Quite a game. Lived up to the expectations and then some. Why do Japanese fans insist what's-his-name has surpassed Ichiro as Japan's greatest hitter? Let's see how many consecutive 200-hit seasons he could rack up here...

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Dice-K won the MVP again:

 

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i2pGB5sWQyKw4fzr_kH9qZ5aGEZwD9747D880

 

Interesting. I think Darvish's line (2-1 in 13 IP, 20 K, 1.00 WHIP, 2.08 ERA) beat Dice's (3-0 in 14.2 IP, 13 K, 1.30 WHIP, 2.45 ERA) but I think Matsuzaka managed to beat Korea, Cuba and the US, so that's pretty impressive.

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Who is the manager for Japan?

 

Something random I just thought about, but anyone else think that they should play some of these games at Fenway or Yankee Stadium?

Tatsunori Hara, the Yomiuri Giants manager. Interestingly his Yomiuri first baseman and Korean star and Home Run sensation in the '06 Classic, Seung-Yeop Lee didn't participate this time around and chose to stay in Japan for Giants camp. Would have been interesting to see him come up to the plate last night and hit one out against his manager

 

And yeah, taht would be awesome to play some of the games at either Fenway, Yankee, or even Citi Field, but I think the cold conditions wouldn't permit it with the tournament being played in March. November, although still cold, would be better

 

Just throw an uncontested steal of 3rd in there for the hell of it.

It's ******** that they didn't even count it as a steal. Ichiro was amazing, IMO he should have got MVP. f*** Dice-K! lol

 

And although Darvish blew the save in the 9th it was nice to see him on the mound, with the strikeout to end the tournament. His control was obviously off last night, but he's one incredible pitcher. That slider is just disgusting, I wouldnt even know what to do standing in the box with that pitch coming in.