Predicting the World Baseball Classic: Finals

It’s Rocket time! And this is the type of game that Roger Clemens was made to pitch. He’s held Pujols to only one RBI in 21 career ABs, Miguel Tejada to only one RBI in 26 career ABs, Big Papi to a .211 BA, Vlad to a .188 BA, Manny a .180 BA. The Rocket may be the only man who is not afraid to face the Dominican lineup, because he knows he can neutralize it. Back up what ever he can do, for the 95 pitches he is allowed to throw, with a phalanx of relievers the likes of Brad Lidge, Chad Cordero, Joe Nathan, Huston Street, and Billy Wagner. Let’s just hope Buck Martinez can hold off using Clemens in the Semis and save him for the Finals. This game may still be very close one, though. Standing opposite Clemens on the mound could be Pedro Martinez, who is equally capable of shutting down an opponent’s offense. This game may turn out to be an All-Star game that means something (oh, wait). Still, I’m going to go with the team that can bring in multiple relievers capable of throwing 100+ mph, Team United States. Really, I’m not just picking them because I’m from the same country, I just think that a 100 mph fastball at this point in the spring is not something many batters, even the Dominican murderer’s row, can catch up with. Pitching, this kind of pitching, wins the ‘Championship Trophy’ of the first World Baseball Classic.