World Baseball Classic Championship Picks - Can the US Win It All?

The 2013 World Baseball Classic is underway for Pools A and B, with the rest of the teams getting into the action by the weekend.

In Pool A, Japan and Cuba have jumped out in front, already winning both of their games.  Things are getting interesting in Pool B, with the Netherlands beating Korea, but losing to Chinese Taipei.  Going off of my picks from last week's WBC post, here are some predictions for the second and championship rounds.

In the second round, the winners and runners-up from Pools A and B will face off, pitting who I believe with be Japan versus the Netherlands, and Korea vs Cuba.  I think these games will be some of the best of the entire tournament... until we get to Pools C and D, that is.  These teams are deep, and have a lot of talent, even though they are lacking players than many baseball fans in the US would recognize.  I want to see the Netherlands do well here, but this grouping is a tall order to fill.  Look for Japan to take this one, with Cuba right behind them.  Korea lost early to the Netherlands in pool play, so maybe they're not the same team from the past two WBC's.

Pools C and D's second round match-ups could be 20-run affairs one day, then a 2-1 contest the next.  Ideally, the United States, Canada, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic would make it through, and those four teams are stacked.  My bias is going to show a little here, but while I think the US will make it through, I believe they'll be runners-up to the Dominican Republic.

So that brings us to the final four teams, and if all goes according to plan, the US with face Japan while the Dominican Republic takes on Cuba.  I would absolutely love to see a US-DR final, so I'm gonna say it happens.  With that game, no matter who the winner is, the WBC will earn more merit than its gotten the past two tournaments.  The games are huge in Asian countries and the Caribbean, but they have never held much weight in the US or Canada.  Hopefully with so many well-known stars playing, this year will be a big jumping point for the World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic Odds and Picks

Friday marks the opening game of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.  With 16 teams in the mix, some loaded with MLB stars and some loaded with their respective country's biggest stars, the WBC should prove to be a greater worldwide success than it has been in its first two years, 2006 and 2009.

The World Baseball Classic was born after baseball was cut out of the Olympics in 2005 by the International Olympic Committee.  Japan has won the first two WBCs, defeating Cuba in '06 and South Korea in '09, and it is no surprise that the international tournaments were the highest rating sporting events in Japan's television history.

This year, the pool is just as diverse as ever, with some heavy favorites and a few underdogs.  These are the odds according to VegasInsider.com.

Dominican Republic - 2/1
United States - 5/2
Japan - 5/2
Korea - 10/1
Venezuela - 10/1
Cuba - 12/1
Chinese Taipei - 12/1
Canada - 15/1
Mexico - 18/1
Puerto Rico - 20/1
Panama - 35/1
Field - 15/1

The Dominican Republic is once again a powerhouse, and they will look to get past their best finish of fourth place from the inaugural year.  The United States is also a big favorite, and boasts the only roster with nothing but MLB players, but just like the DR, the Americans have never finished better than fourth.  Two-time winners Japan are right in the mix again, given the same odds as the US.

Pool A features Japan, China, Cuba and Brazil.  Two pretty easy picks here with Japan winning and Cuba as the runner-up.  Brazil has a fairly young team that beat Panama twice and Columbia in their qualifier to get into the tournament, but cannot compete with two teams who have three combined medals.

In Pool B, the Netherlands, Australia, Chinese Taipei and Korea will face off.  Korea has medaled in '06 and '09, and I believe will continue their success.  As for the runner-up, I'm going with the Netherlands here -- if nothing else, they'll be exciting to watch with players like Xander Bogaerts, Andrelton Simmons and Roger Bernadina. 

Pool C will play their games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico, where the Expos played a few "home games" in 2003 and 2004.  Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Spain will do battle, providing some serious games and some serious scoring.  In four qualifying games, Spain put up 32 runs, but figures to be the odd man out in these matchups.  The Dominican Republic, featuring names like Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz could be the runners-up in this one, because something tells me that Venezuela is locked and loaded this year.  With offense coming from Miguel Cabrera and Pablo Sandoval, pitchers like Anibal Sanchez and Henderson Alvarez will be able to get right to work.

Pool D will be fun to watch, with all three North American countries going head-to-head with Italy tossed into the mix.  The United States should win this one, but the runner-up spot is interesting.  Mexico has its fair share of stars like Adrian Gonzalez and Sergio Romo, but they don't appear to be all that deep.  Canada has a good mix of young stars and talents like John Axford and Brett Lawrie.  Canada scored 38 runs in three qualifying games, so I'm gonna give them the momentum to make it into the second round.

First games are played on Friday, starting at 5:30am on MLB Network.  Stay tuned this weekend for my second round and championship picks and winners.

How Will the Bruins Fare in the Shortened Season?

The NHL gets back to business as unusual on Jan. 19th when they begin a shortened 48-game season.  For Bruins fans, just seeing the players back on the ice in black and gold will be a success, but for the players, they must be licking their chops for the 2013 season.

The B's won the Lord Stanley's Cup for the 2010-11 season, and most of that same roster til laces 'em up at the TD Garden for home games.  The Bruins have young stars like Tyler Seguin, 20, Brad Marchand and Milan Lucic, 24, as well as elder statesmen like Andrew Ference and Shawn Thornton, 33, and captain Zdeno Chara, 35.  Age has never seemed to slow the Bruins down, and Ference and Chara have been playing for over a month already overseas, so in 2013, that's not a concern.

After a few concussions, the most famous of which came at the hands of Canucks defender Aaron Rome, B's winger Nathan Horton is ready to rock.  According to Lucic, Horton looks more game-ready than ever some of their teammates playing overseas.

"We had a little scrimmage to end [Thursday's practice] and on our side there was only five forwards.  we were huffing and puffing, but he looked good," he said.  "He looks to be back on track.  He's in really good shape and I'm excited to get back out there and play with him."

Horton's condition shouldn't be a problem this year, but one player to keep an eye on will be goaltender Tuukka Rask.  Poised to be the starter between the pipes after Tim Thomas lost his marbles, Rask aggravated his groin against playing in the Czech Republic.  It was not as severe as when he originally injured it last March, but took himself out of a few games as a precaution.

The only other injury on the team right now appears to be to perennial all-star snub defender Adam McQuaid.  Darth Quaider has had multiple surgeries to correct blood clots around his collarbone and arms, and will hopefully be ready by the end of the month.  Watching the Bruins won't be the same without McQuaid crushing faces on the ice.

All in all, the Bruins look to be in an excellent position to finish at the top of the Eastern Conference this year.  With an embarrassing first round exit after losing to the Capitals, the Bruins will come back faster, stronger and hungrier for another championship. 

I'm predicting Seguin will lead the team in points, followed closely by linemate Patrice Bergeron and second line winger Lucic.  If Seguin and Bergeron find their rhythm like they did last year, they can again be one of the most electric lines if Marchand is up to the task.  A lot of Lucic's points come right down in front of the net, allowing Horton and Krejci to use their skills to fire pucks on net for Looch to slap home on a rebound.

Defense has always been a strong point for the Bruins, if they get out to a hot start on the pillows of Rask, that should be all it takes to fuel a playoff run.  The first test will come right away against the East favorite New York Rangers on opening night  Its tough to judge with a 48-game season, but I'm gonna say the Bruins can get 29 to 31 wins.  Doesn't hurt to be optimistic, right? 

Don't forgot to join Three if by Strike on Jan. 19th for the Bruins opener live blog!