Too strong, almost unbearably strong. Can our pitchers really stop them?
Korea's national team will play the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, at 7:30 a.m. on the 14th (Korea time). Korea advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years since the second tournament in 2009.
The Dominican Republic swept Nicaragua (12-3), the Netherlands (12-1), Israel (10-1) and Venezuela (7-5) in the first round to advance to the quarterfinals with a perfect 4-0 record. It is considered a strong favorite to win alongside Japan and the United States.
The national team announced veteran Ryu Hyun-jin (Hanwha), who has extensive major league experience, as the starting pitcher. Although Ryu Hyun-jin has 78 big-league wins, the Dominican Republic's core lineup is a "heavenly-tier" batting order the likes of which he has never faced.
Andrew Jones, manager of the Netherlands, who faced the Dominican Republic in the first round, said, "I've seen many lineups, but a lineup like this at the WBC. Wow, it's really amazing," and expressed astonishment. Manager Jones played 17 seasons in the major leagues as a player and hit 434 career home runs.
The Dominican Republic showed terrifying offensive power in the first round. In four games the Dominican Republic hit .313 with 40 hits, 13 home runs and 41 runs, posted a .458 on-base percentage, a .672 slugging percentage and a 1.130 OPS. With 33 walks and 23 strikeouts, they do not always swing solely for home runs. They ranked first in eight team hitting categories including batting average, home runs, runs and OPS.
Of the 13 home runs, Juan Soto (New York Mets), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto), Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego), Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh) and Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay) each hit two home runs. Austin Wells (New York Yankees), Julio Rodríguez (Seattle) and Ketel Marte (Arizona) each hit one home run.
In the decider with Venezuela for first place in the group, the Dominican Republic started Fernando Tatis Jr. (right fielder), Ketel Marte (second baseman), Juan Soto (left fielder), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (first baseman), Manny Machado (third baseman), Junior Caminero (designated hitter), Julio Rodríguez (center fielder), Austin Wells (catcher) and Geraldo Perdomo (shortstop) and played through to the bottom of the ninth without substituting a single player.
All nine starters hit at least 20 home runs in the major leagues last year. The nine combined for 264 home runs. Cruz, who appeared as a backup outfielder in the first round, went 2 for 3 with two home runs but did not get a chance to play against Venezuela. He will likely be a bench option against Korea in the quarterfinals. Carlos Santana (Arizona), who has 335 career home runs, is used as a pinch hitter and backup first baseman. Backup catcher Agustin Ramirez (Miami) also hit 21 home runs last year.
Among the regular lineup, there are only two left-handed hitters, Soto and Wells. Marte and Perdomo are switch hitters. Against left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin, seven right-handed batters will likely start. U.S. media predict a lopsided victory for the Dominican Republic. Can our players possibly produce the upset in a one-game elimination? <
[OSEN]