WBC: U.S. ready for revenge
World Baseball Classic betting is attracting attention across the globe, but the biggest story continues to be the American team.
USA was expected to have a great showing in the inaugural 2006 tournament, only to finish outside the Final Four after barely squeaking by the opening round.
Despite that poor showing, there is tons of optimism surrounding them this year and that makes them a solid value at 8:5 odds to win the tournament at Sportsbook.com.
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There are two big reasons why the Americans should bounce back strong in this tourney: attitude and chemistry.
The team is littered with a new breed of scrappy, yet talented players who grind out every at bat and really want to be part of this event, unlike some of their 2006 counterparts.
Boston’s Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis, Philadelphia’s Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins, Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun and the NY Mets’ David Wright are prime examples of guys who are hungry to be in the event for the first time and will really battle.
Pedroia, last year’s unlikely MLB MVP, is the poster child for the new American player. He is generously listed at 5’9” but he performs far beyond his athletic ability and has a bravado that matches his competitiveness.
Pedroia told Red Sox teammate Jason Bay, who is playing for the Canadian team, to only pack one pair of underwear for his trip to the tournament as ‘that’s all he’ll be needing’. Canada actually upset USA in the first round last time, 11-8 and you can be sure that USA will take the game far more seriously when they face them this Saturday in Toronto.
And while these first-time American players are sure to provide a spark, the veterans from 2006 are also desperate for a different outcome.
The Yankees’ Derek Jeter is the biggest name on the squad and he feels like he has something to prove despite hitting .450 and being named to the All-Tournament team last time around. Atlanta’s Chipper Jones is another guy sure to be playing with a ‘chip’ on his shoulder after 2006.
Starting pitching is always key in these kind of events and the U.S. team is led by San Diego’s Jake Peavy and Houston’s Roy Owalt. Like the hitters, the pitching staff doesn’t have as many star players but that may work to their advantage.
One final thing the U.S. has going for them is the Alex Rodriguez factor. Nicknamed ‘The Cooler’ for his failure to elevate his team’s play despite his prodigious talent, Rodriguez has decided to play for the Dominican team after playing for the Americans in 2006.
Considering the steroid distraction is still following A-Rod’s every move, this is clearly addition by subtraction and another reason to take USA over the slightly favored (7:5) Dominican Republic.
