Play Ball Syndicate Members,
After yet another needlessly baroque introduction, we’re finally ready to get down to business. There remains but one small bit of housekeeping to tend to:
A QUICK REVIEW OF THE RULES:
USA vs. Italy
The Line: USA +12 Runs
The Favorite is favored to win by 12 runs. If you bet on
Italy, there are two ways you can win the bet:
1) Italy loses by less than 12 runs.
2) Italy wins
Conversely, there are two ways to win if you bet on the
States
1) USA wins by 12 runs (This is somewhat different. Some
would say if the line is met exactly, the wager should be nullified. IMPORTANT:
in this system A PRECISE LINE constitutes a win!)
2) USA wins by more than 12 runs.
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
1) Your Bookie takes bets on FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE
BASIS. Since the lines are disseminated early, bookie reserves the right to
move the lines based on previous bets, conflicts of interest, or new critical
information such as an injury. Lines CANNOT be moved after bet is taken.
Betting closes one hour before the opening pitch.
2) Even if you're sitting this round out, definitely give
some of the games a look. MLB Network holds exclusive broadcast this time
around, but some games will be televised on ESPN Deportes. You can also watch
all games via Internet streaming. The Semi-finals and final will in all
likelihood be broadcast on basic cable (pending some last minute negotiations).
3) As I’ve alluded to in my preview section, scheduling for
a baseball tournament bears ABSOLUTELY NO RESEMBLANCE to football tournaments
or indeed any other sport. It’s downright goofy. Given that baseball cannot
accurately be described as a physically demanding endeavor, it’s not uncommon
at all for games to be stacked on top on one another. Ernie Banks once uttered
to immortal words “Let’s play two”. Baseball features regular doubleheaders,
162 games essentially played with straight through nary a day off, and a
grueling playoff schedule. Tournaments not only move at warp speed, the
knockout stages operate under bizarre “double elimination” rules.
Never fear, your friendly bookie is here. He’ll guide you
through all of it, never failing to produce lines in accordance with the
shifting match ups. As of today, I’m prepared to offer lines on ALL of the
group stage encounters. Baseball isn’t what one might call a “spontaneous
sport” and momentum rarely carries from one game to the next. Analysis of the
stats tells me all I need to know to in order to set the initial lines. They
will undoubtedly move based on the money that comes in and unforeseen
developments. Regardless, all syndicate members are welcome to bet OVER A WEEK
in advance.
One final oddity to bear in mind. I’ll return with Round Two
lines, BEFORE the handicapped games listed here are finished. There’s simply no
other way to do it. As quirky as
it may appear, it conforms to logic. Round Two Lines will cover the initial
playoff games between teams from the first two groups. Round Three Lines will
cover the initial playoff games between teams from the second two groups in
addition to the next round of playoff games from the first two groups. Yes, yes
I know. As ridiculous as it may sound, all will become clear in good time.
Are we ready? Let’s rock some lines!
Saturday
Japan vs. Brazil
(Atsuhsi Nomi vs. Hugo Kanabushi)
Welcome to the Classic, Brazil! As you might infer from the
projected pitching match up above, it’s Nip on Nip. The familiarity of many
Brazilian players with the Nippon League should enable a competitive debut….for
the first three innings in any case.
THE
LINE: Japan +6 Runs
Australia vs. Chinese Taipei
(Chris Oxspring vs. Hong Chi-Kuo)
Will we see the “Slaughter Rule” cut short the second game?
Ehh….not quite. It still won’t be pretty.
THE
LINE: Chinese Taipei +8 Runs
South Korea vs. Netherlands
(Won Sam Jang vs. Shairon Martis)
When selecting a first-string starting hurler, the goofy
Germans would be fools not to trot out Shairon Martis. That doesn’t mean the
Taeguk Nine won’t ultimately make fools out of them. Wake up time for the
perennial European Champions.
THE
LINE: South Korea +4 Runs
Sunday
Cuba vs. Brazil
(Noberto Gonzalez vs. Andre Rienzo)
Based on that projected pitching match up, the Brazilians
stand a fighting chance. Ole.
THE
LINE: Cuba +2 Runs
China vs. Japan
(Yu Liu vs. Masahiro Tanaka)
Very well. Loser has to give up those worthless islands. I
don’t know about you, but I’m getting awfully sick of reading about these
barren and trivial chunks of rock. Every year it’s another goddamn meaningless
dispute between these two countries. Evidently, there’s no pride quite like
misplaced Asian Pride. Enough already. Stop behaving like the Wops!
THE
LINE: Japan +9 Runs
Chinese Taipei vs. Netherlands
(Chia Jen-Lo vs. Loek van Mil)
The Dutch have traditionally kept one surprise up their
sleeve for us. They managed improbable victories in 2006 and 2009….when they
found themselves in weak divisions. Time’s up Straat-straddlers.
THE
LINE: Chinese Taipei +3 Runs
Monday
South Korea vs. Australia
(Kyung Eun-Noh vs. Clayton Tanner)
Thinking about these two countries leave me reminiscing
about Park Chan Wook’s masterpiece “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance”. Thinking
about those two starting pitchers leaves me looking forward to a tight classic.
THE
LINE: South Korea +2 Runs
China vs. Cuba
(Wenming Li vs. Vladimir Garcia)
Which Commies will prevail? Likely the ones familiar with
the sport.
THE
LINE: Cuba +5 Runs
Tuesday
China vs. Brazil
(Haifan Yang vs. Carlos Yashimura)
Should the slant-eyes be smart enough to start the prodigy
from the Peking Tigers….we may have our first UPSET ALERT. I’m not yet sold,
however. This looks like a present for Larkin’s Lads.
THE
LINE: Brazil +2 Runs
Australia vs. Netherlands
(Ryan Searle vs. David Bergman)
It’s the battle of “who really gives a shit”? Christ, I’d
love to make this a pick. Can’t do it, however. The Dutch will have their
moment to shine.
THE
LINE: Netherlands +2 Runs
Chinese Taipei vs. South Korea
(Yi Hao Lin vs. Won Sang Yoo)
Now we have a pick! Psyche. No pick here. The Koreans,
assuming they bring the right man to the mound, have a vastly superior team
that features better arms and more offensive prowess. Jumbi, Ju-bi-Koh!
THE
LINE: South Korea +3 Runs
Wednesday
Japan vs. Cuba
(Tetsuya Utsumi vs. Yadier Pedroso)
Cool! It’s a rematch of the 2006 Final. Know something else,
gentlemen? NOW you have your pick.
THE
LINE: Pick em’
Thursday
Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic
(Jhoulys Chacin vs. Octavio Dotel)
These two have met twice before in this competition. In both
instances, a formidable Venezuelan side wilted in the final third of the
frames. Given the stupendous side the Dominicans have assembled this time
around, there’s every reason to believe history will repeat itself.
THE LINE:
Dominican Republic +4 Runs
Italy vs. Mexico
(Tim Crabbe vs. Cesar Ramos)
I hear ya, Dagos. Enjoy your moment in the sun. Meet a low
line and you’ll even enjoy an ephemeral moment of monetary bliss.
THE
LINE: Italy +3 Runs
Friday
Spain vs. Puerto Rico
(Eric Gonzalez vs. Fernando Cabrera)
“Slaughter Rule” Time? Yes indeed. It won’t be the most
cordial welcome for the Spanish.
THE
LINE: Puerto Rico +10 Runs
Canada vs. Italy
(Phillipe Aumont vs. Matt Tora)
Ride on, Wops…or not. The joy ride ends here. Good luck
racking up runs against Aumont.
THE
LINE: Canada +1 Run
USA vs. Mexico
(Gio Gonzalez vs. David Hernandez)
At long last the stage belongs to our country. The saturnine
defeat of 2009 sits firmly in the rear view. Expect the Yanks to make a strong
statement.
THE
LINE: USA +7 Runs
Saturday
Dominican Republic vs. Spain
(Juan Cedeno vs. Chris Manno)
It only gets worse, Amigos. Minnows shouldn’t swim with
sharks.
THE
LINE: Dominican Republic +11 Runs
Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela
(Jose De La Torre vs. Carlos Zambrano)
Very little between these two sides, particularly in light
of the projected pitching match up. Take another pick, gentlemen.
THE
LINE: Pick em’
Canada vs. Mexico
(Chris Leroux vs. Oscar Villarreal)
So much depends on the starting pitchers. Still, the lineups
just don’t favor the Canucks. Hitting tendencies have the Wetbacks winning the
“American Sandwich Derby”.
THE
LINE: Mexico +2 Runs
USA vs. Italy
(Craig Kimbrel vs. Jason Grilli)
Hahahahahahaha. Hey, American Wops. Prepare to be
embarrassed by your fellow countrymen; the ones NOT dumb enough to profess
pride in being Italian.
THE
LINE: USA +12 Runs
Sunday
Spain vs. Venezuela
(Ricardo Hernandez vs. Cesar Jimenez)
Redemption time for one of these squads. Er….that would be
the latter.
THE
LINE: Venezuela +5 Runs
Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico
(Pedro Strop vs. Mario Santiago)
This should prove a genuinely fun Caribbean Clash. Such a
game can’t get here soon enough. How intriguing. It will be tight through all
nine frames.
THE
LINE: Puerto Rico +1 Run
USA vs. Canada
(Vinnie Pestano vs. Trystan Magnuson)
One final romp before we arrive at the significant matches.
Ideally, one should hope that the U.S. doesn’t blow the big wad too soon….or
just revel in the glory.
THE
LINE: USA +10 Runs
GENTLEMEN,
ENTER YOUR WAGERS
