Team USA set to face Canada in the WBC Quarterfinals, and Minnesota Twins fans won’t like Mark DeRosa’s decision.
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Video Transcript
The World Baseball Classic quarterfinals are here, and Team USA was lucky to even get in.
The World Baseball Classic quarterfinals are here, and Team USA was lucky to even get in.
Yes, that is true.
Yes, that is true.
Who would have thought we would have been saying that?
Who would have thought we would have been saying that?
But they started three and O, went into that final pool play game against Italy.
But they started three and O, went into that final pool play game against Italy.
Some believe Mark DeRosa thought that they had already punched their ticket, well, because he said that himself earlier in the day.
Some believe Mark DeRosa thought that they had already punched their ticket, well, because he said that himself earlier in the day.
he later, claimed that he had misspoke, but his lineup decisions, pitching decisions said otherwise.
he later, claimed that he had misspoke, but his lineup decisions, pitching decisions said otherwise.
Team USA lost that game and was fortunate that Italy blew out Mexico the next day and got USA into the quarters, and that is where they will face Canada today.
Team USA lost that game and was fortunate that Italy blew out Mexico the next day and got USA into the quarters, and that is where they will face Canada today.
Now, everybody was waiting to see what the starting lineup was gonna look like for this big contest.
Now, everybody was waiting to see what the starting lineup was gonna look like for this big contest.
There were a few tough decisions that DeRosa had to make, one of them being in center field.
There were a few tough decisions that DeRosa had to make, one of them being in center field.
In that game against Italy, there was a bright spot for Team USA.
In that game against Italy, there was a bright spot for Team USA.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong homered twice and made it a very difficult decision for Mark DeRosa heading into the quarterfinals, whether or not he should keep Byron Buxton on the bench, who entered this tournament as the favorite to start in center field.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong homered twice and made it a very difficult decision for Mark DeRosa heading into the quarterfinals, whether or not he should keep Byron Buxton on the bench, who entered this tournament as the favorite to start in center field.
But he’s hitless so far.
But he’s hitless so far.
Crow-Armstrong is swinging a hot bat, so it is him who will start in center field today against Canada.
Crow-Armstrong is swinging a hot bat, so it is him who will start in center field today against Canada.
Now, while that is likely the right decision, this is a short tournament.
Now, while that is likely the right decision, this is a short tournament.
You have to keep your hot bats in the lineup.
You have to keep your hot bats in the lineup.
It’s still a disappointing update for Minnesota Twins fans to receive.
It’s still a disappointing update for Minnesota Twins fans to receive.
They, really, were looking forward to seeing Buxton play on this big stage, and while he could still certainly factor into this game, either off the bench as a defensive replacement, a pinch runner, perhaps a pinch hitter later in the game against a lefty or something like that, Twins fans wanna see him in the starting lineup.
They, really, were looking forward to seeing Buxton play on this big stage, and while he could still certainly factor into this game, either off the bench as a defensive replacement, a pinch runner, perhaps a pinch hitter later in the game against a lefty or something like that, Twins fans wanna see him in the starting lineup.
So disappointing for them.
So disappointing for them.
They won’t get to see their guy out there in center when the game begins, but do not be surprised if Buxton does factor into this game at some point.
They won’t get to see their guy out there in center when the game begins, but do not be surprised if Buxton does factor into this game at some point.