Some great games on tap for today:
5 p.m. Italy vs Venezuela
Hugo’s boys took Italy lightly and played a little sloppy early but the Italians failed to take advantage of men on base. I still get the feeling that they take them lightly, and the Italians have shown they can put runs on the board.
If Italy can score early then its anyone’s game. The Italian defense is going to be the key here. I’d like to see Italy bounce Hugo’s boys but I wouldn’t be willing to bet money on it.
5:30 p.m. Netherlands vs Dominican Republic
When they scheduled this game It was expected that it would be Panama vs Puerto Rico instead Panama is already out, Puerto Rico is in and the Dominican Republic wants revenge for its most humiliating defeat ever.
They will be gunning for the Dutch and look to put them away early, It will call come down to the Dutch starter in that respect. If they fall behind again I think they might crack like an egg. Robbie Cordemans being available might make all the difference.
The Dutch have to score period! If they can’t score they can’t win.
10:00 p.m. Cuba vs Australia.
Tonight we find out if the crushing of Mexico was a fluke or not. If Australia can put up the numbers against Cuba then there will be sweating in Mexico tomorrow.
I feel bad for the Cuban convict team. It’s hard to spend your life in a prison and know that if you try to escape your family will suffer, it must be even harder to have to play for your jailer. The sheer joy of Baseball is a partial release but its still a convict team playing under guard.
My take, I have no problem with them advancing if it means some of their guys can jump the fence and escape, if they are just going to stay prisoners, they might as well get bounced now and go back to prison.
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