WBC Championship Game Might Be Explosive

      Tonight's World Baseball Classic game between the United States and Venezuela might be a high scoring shoot-out for nine innings.  The Venezuela team shocked Japan in the Quarterfinals round with their offense relying on timely hitting, especially with power.  Up until that point, the Venezuelan team relied heavily on strong pitching and low runs allowed to advance.  Last night however, Manager Omar Lopez was forced to go to his bullpen early and often as Keider Montero struggled to throw strikes against the Italians.  Ricardo Sanchez, Luinder Avila, Angel Zerpa, Eduardo Bazardo, Andre's Machado, and Daniel Palencia all were forced into throwing high level pitches to help the Venezuelans advance to the championship game tonight.  Many of the same arms threw two nights earlier against Japan, and may only be available for limited duty tonight.

     Tonight the Venezuelan team will most likely start lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.  He has really struggled early on this spring with throwing strikes and the United States has proven to be a very patient team at the plate.  With lefty Jhonathan Diaz or lefty Jose Alverez the most likely early relievers out of the bullpen, it seems likely the United States will go with their right-handed hitting line-ups early.  The united States will counter with right-hander Nolan McLean.  McLean struggled a bit against Italy in the pool play rounds, but the Venezuelan's offense is mostly right handed hitters.  McLean's pitching numbers have always been better against right handed hitters.  Italy featured six left-handed hitting players in their line-up and three had extreme power.  Venezuela only has three on their roster and Luis Arraez and Andres Gimenez provide almost no power.  The United States has relied heavily on the Bednar, Whitlock, and Miller to close the game rotation the past two games.  If those three are available tonight, the United States should have enough pitching left to be Champions.