PHOENIX | Regardless of the outcome of the scheduled game against the United States late Monday night, Canada still has a chance to finish in the top two teams in Group C.
• Read also: World Classic: a model to follow
It’s an uphill battle and Tuesday’s game against Colombia is critically important for the Canadian team.
To understand nothing: Colombia (1-1) has also lowered the flag against Great Britain (1-2) Monday afternoon. Young British-born American receiver Harry Ford, a Seattle Mariners prospect, scored two hits, including a solo homer, in the surprising 7-5 win.
The win went to reliever Graham Spraker, who gave up just one hit in two and two-thirds innings.
The race is exciting, but we must admit that the result obtained by Canada against Great Britain, an 18-8 victory by the score, could end up haunting the troop of manager Ernie Whitt, in the event of a tied in the standings.
“I can’t find the words yet to describe the first game against Great Britain, honestly,” Whitt said. We hit the ball extremely well… Now we’ll take it one day at a time for the rest of the tournament. »
Pay attention to the points awarded!
The problem for Canada lies in the number of runs allowed per set played. If there is a tie in the standings at the end of Wednesday’s games and the records of the teams against each other cannot decide, the number of points awarded becomes crucial.
The Canadian team, which relies in particular on Quebecers Édouard Julien, Otto Lopez, Abraham Toro and Phillippe Aumont, has never been able to qualify for the final rounds of the World Baseball Classic.
In 2006, Canada upset the United States with an 8-6 round robin score. However, it was precisely the tiebreaker related to the points awarded that sank the national team, giving way to the Americans and Mexicans. The three countries had nevertheless maintained a record of 2-1.
On Monday off, the Mexican team is playing, like the Colombians, a curious tournament. After losing to Colombia to open the competition, the Mexican club defeated the United States 11-5 in a crazy atmosphere on Sunday night at Chase Field.