US, Judge, Anthony Survive Slow Starts, Demolishing Brazil and United Kingdom
It took only his first at bat for Aaron Judge to declare the United States’ intentions in the World Baseball Classic. Those intentions were to win. Judge hit a home run to make it 2-0 over Brazil. However, the United States had to overcome sluggish starts to secure big victories over Brazil and the United Kingdom. Against Brazil, Logan Webb gave up a home run in the first inning to Lucas Ramirez, who is the son of Red Sox Legend Manny Ramirez. Lucas would have a second home run later in the game. Despite giving up the home run, Webb settled down for the rest of the game. Joseph Contreras, son of Jose Contreras at just 17 years old, made Judge to groundout with the bases loaded. Brazil would make it close in the 7th inning thanks to Victor Mascai’s two run home run against Michael Wacha, but the United States would pull away to win the game 15-5 thanks to lack of depth in Brazil’s pitching. Roman Anthony would have two RBIs in this game and help score some runs.
Concern regarding the US was amplified against the United Kingdom. Nate Eaton of the United Kingdom and the Red Sox who was first at bat hit a homerun off of Tarik Skubal to make it 1-0 UK right at the beginning in the 1st inning. The pitching would improve after that. The United States would struggle through the first 5 innings, unable to score any runs. It took until the bottom of the 5th inning for the US to score thanks to a wild pitch to tie the game. Kyle Schwarber’s massive home run in the bottom of the 5th broke open the game for the United States. The US would never look back and win the game 9-1.
The United States strategy seems to be high risk, high reward. Through these first two games their swings were so powerful that they were often hitting the ball towards the roof of the stadium. The pitching continues to be the main concern. The next two teams are Mexico and Italy. These teams will take full advantage of early homeruns given up by the United States and will make it very difficult for the team to make it a comeback. US vs. Mexico will especially difficult as the Mexican faithful will make Houston, TX look like a home game. Pitching cannot put the US in a hole so early. Can the US overcome their slow starts? It will be determined in the next two games.
Popcorn, anyone?