WBC Pools 1 and 2

So, the first round is over. The second round is almost over. The USA, Venezuela, Japan, and Korea are all going to Dodger Stadium for the semifinals then finals. It is single elimination. I'm roting for the USA for sure, although I worry about the injuries. Dustin Pedroia, Ryan Braun, Matt Lindstrom, Chipper Jones, and David Wright have all either been sent home to the MLB team or have been injured for a select amount of time. I think of those guys, David Wright is the most important to this team. Every time he comes up he seems to get a hit. He hit the walkoff to eliminate Puerto Rico and save the US the other night. If there was a guy who I think should be injured instead, I think it would have the be Derek Jeter. He is the backup to Jimmy Rollins and Mark DeRosa could play short if necessary. The US starting pitching has been OK. I don't think Jeremy Guthrie is the best the US could have gotten there, unlike Roy Oswalt. The US lost the seeding game the other night, so they will play the winner of tonight's Korea and Japan matchup. The US won when they had to, and that's all that matters. If you are going to lose a seeding game, it's not to big of a deal. The US got the credit of eliminating two of the 16 WBC teams. They are capable of going all the way, but must be on their game (no more Adam Dunn at first base, please). USA!