Ranking WBC Underdogs: Transforming the Event into a Must-See Spectacle

Elimination play in the World Baseball Classic begins tonight. Single-elimination makes every game feel like a Game 7.

Which underdogs have the best paths?

Teams USA, Japan and the Dominican Republic entered the tournament as clear favorites. That left five teams often labeled underdogs: Canada, Italy, Puerto Rico, Korea and Venezuela.

5. Korea

Korea faces the Dominican Republic in the early knockout round. The Dominican lineup looked dominant in pool play.

4. Canada

Canada advanced to the elimination round for the first time. The roster includes more big-leaguers than in past tournaments.

Canada’s potential path would require beating Team USA, then likely the Dominican Republic, and possibly Japan in the final.

3. Italy

Italy’s run has felt unexpectedly magical to many observers. The team and its story have generated oddball fascination.

2. Puerto Rico

Piruerto Rico produced one of the tournament’s most memorable moments with Darell Hernaiz’s walk-off. The team lacks several regulars due to insurance decisions.

1. Venezuela

Venezuela sits at the top of this underdog list. It must first face Japan in a pivotal game on Saturday.

If Venezuela wins, its path would likely include Italy or Puerto Rico on the way to the final.

Underdog success is plausible. Last year the Rockies (43-119) still beat the World Series champion Dodgers (93-69) twice in 13 games. Upsets happen.

Ranking WBC underdogs can show how underdogs transform the tournament into a must-see spectacle. Single-elimination creates dramatic possibilities.

Timing the WBC: a proposal from the field

Jayson Stark asked whether March is the right month for the WBC. Several players and officials say the timing creates challenges.

Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal urged a change. He said moving the final rounds midseason would ease pressure on starters.

Stark proposed a hybrid calendar. Pool play would remain in March. The final eight teams would reconvene in July.

• Hold the Elite Eight, Final Four and finals at the All-Star Game site.
• Build a concentrated “Baseball Week in America.”
• Combine the All-Star festivities with the WBC’s closing rounds.

The proposed seven-day sequence would stack marquee events. An official from a WBC team called the idea “brilliant.”

Late spring signings: lefties find big-league deals

Two veteran left-handed relievers signed big-league deals during spring training. Danny Coulombe joined the Red Sox. Jalen Beeks signed with the Rangers.

Coulombe has pitched for several teams, including the Dodgers, A’s, Twins, Orioles and Rangers. He has posted a 2.38 ERA and a 3.07 FIP over the last four seasons.

Durability has been an issue for Coulombe. He exceeded 50 innings just once during that span.

Beeks has MLB experience with the Red Sox, Rays, Rockies, Pirates and Diamondbacks. He could join Robert García and Jacob Latz as the Rangers’ lefty options.

Beeks was once traded one-for-one from Boston to Tampa Bay for Nathan Eovaldi. The moves reflect ongoing bullpen shuffles around the league.

Baseball card spotlight

An Aaron Judge rookie card sold for $5.2 million. That result tied it for the seventh-highest sports card sale ever.

The sale ranks among the top baseball-card highs. It also marked the highest price for a player who debuted after 1968.

Filmogaz.com’s Baseball Card of the Week features a 1992 Post Jeff Bagwell rookie. Those cereal-issued cards remain inexpensive in many listings.

Short takes and other notes

• Olympics qualification ties to the WBC affect some teams only.
• Tyler Kepner wrote about the Nationals’ youth movement and its potential.
• Matt Gelb reported on José Alvarado and his son’s leukemia diagnosis from last summer.
• Brendan Kuty tracked Gerrit Cole’s step-by-step return to big-league activity.
• Jarren Duran impressed while playing for Team Mexico. Boston expects him to contribute this season.
• Matthew Boyd will make an Opening Day start in a full stadium for the first time since early career appearances.
• Bryan Abreu may close games for Houston temporarily, with Josh Hader on the injured list.
• Podcast guests this week included Trevor May and Stephen Nesbitt on Rates & Barrels.