From ISC Canada East:
Day 5 is the final day of the round-robin. In the biggest game of the day, the winner of Mexico-USA will make the playoffs while the loser goes home. Canada has a double life wrapped up. Venezuela can clinch a double life with a win. Argentina can finish second with a win and a Venezuela loss.
Schedule of Games
14:05 Dominican Republic (0-4) v Argentina (2-2)
16:35 Canada (4-0) v Venezuela (3-1)
19:05 Mexico (2-2) v USA (1-3)
Editor’s preview
Dominican Republic v. Argentina
After losing to MEX, ARG needed a win over the United States to have a shot at double life in the playoffs. They got it, in large measure thanks to their pitching staff. Youngster Godoy and veteran Potoliccio combined for 16 strikeouts as the USA bats remained quiet.
The Domincan Republic’s 6-1 record in pool play at the WBSC in Saskatoon is but a distant memory, as they have lost 6 straight since then, including all of their games at the Pan-Ams. Tough go today, having to face a motivated Argentina.
Argentina beat VEN, but will need to win and hope that Canada stays golden to beat Venezuela. That would give ARG the other double life in the playoff round starting tomorrow.
Canada v. Venezuela
Canada has lost only one game since the start of the WBSC last month (a winner’s bracket final loss which they avenged a day later in the gold medal game). Their bats were uncharacterstically quiet, getting only 4 hits against the winless Dominican Republic. One gets the impression though, that they are focused more on the weekend. They already have a double life locked up, but doubtful the Red and White will come out with anything but their best today, to build some momentum for the medal round and keep their momentum rolling.
Venezuela has a touch challenge today, needing to beat the unbeaten if they want a double life in the playoffs. Canada’s 7-lefty lineup is tailor made for VEN’s lefty Urbaneja, but Jones has been the better of the two in 2015, and is sure to figure in this one.
United States v. Mexico
The USA beat MEX twice in the WBSC, once in their opening game, and again in the consolation final, pitting two teams that had higher hopes than 9th and 10th place finishes respectivley. MEX’s pitcher Samuel Villalvazo pitched well in that consolation final and has all week at Toronto, including an upset win over Argentina. It took a Nick Mullins HR to give the USA a one-run win at Saskatoon. All three USA pitchers (Mancha, Muzy and Johnson) have thrown well at times, but have received little in the way of run support. Yesterday, in need-to-win game against Argentina, they had 16 strikeouts. Their best game was against unbeaten Canada in an extra inning loss, but they struck out 16 times against Cleary in that one. Ramon Jones struck out 12 in VEN’s win. The USA had their chances in all three losses, and the scores were respectable, 3-2, 3-1 and 3-1. But 44 strikeouts in 21 innings is not going to win many games against the likes of CAN, VEN or ARG — or anyone for that matter. MEX’s pitching staff does not have a Cleary, Jones or Potoliccio, but the USA better get the offense started early, or it’s going to be a long winter and two years, waiting for Whitehorse 2017.